Energy Inflation is Crushing Illinois Families
And now lawmakers want to sneak through a power grab for Ameren and ComEd that will drive your bills even higher
Illinois families are being crushed by energy inflation. Ameren bills are up 18–22%, while ComEd customers face triple-digit hikes. Heating costs are projected to rise another 8% this winter — on top of a summer of record-high cooling bills.
Now, in the middle of this crisis, some legislators are trying to sneak through a failed idea: More power and control for ComEd and Ameren, less competition for crucial transmission projects. They would block cost-cutting competition while driving customer rates higher. This type of legislation was too toxic to pass in past sessions — so now backers are trying to slip it through again. .
Illinois voters aren’t fooled. They overwhelmingly oppose killing competition that keeps prices in check. Learn more from our survey:
Most Illinois Voters Oppose Ending Cost Cutting Competition.
At a time when consumers are getting burned by higher electricity prices, voters don’t want legislators to add fuel to the fire.
Pending Anti-Competition Legislation
Lawmakers are trying to slip anti-competition language into this fall’s energy omnibus legislation, giving ComEd and Ameren gatekeeping authority over new transmission projects.
If passed, these provisions would:
Drive up consumer costs
Hand ComEd and Ameren more power and control
Shut out innovation and competition
As energy legislation is finalized in Springfield this month, let’s keep ROFR and anti-competitive language out of bill.
Illinois Voters Support Competition to Keep Prices Down!
Illinois voters want their legislators to keep prices lower, support competition and expect Springfield to fight for them – not incumbent utilities.
Read what else voters told us about competition and electricity prices!
Stand Against Higher Electricity Prices. Tell Legislators to Oppose No-Bid Contracts and Anti-Competition Proposals
Consumers Save Money When there is Competition for New Transmission Line Construction
Consumers could save between 20-30% from competition for the construction of new transmission lines according to a study by the Brattle Group.
These savings are in addition to Brattle’s findings that competition drives innovation which further mitigates cost and risk to consumers. Since the Brattle report, actual experience with transmission competition has shown the possibility of even higher consumer cost savings.
“The Illinois Commerce Commission believes that competition among transmission developers spurs innovative results and helps control costs.”
--Comments of the ICC to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Some Illinois Utilities Want to Prevent Competition for Transmission Lines
Some incumbent utilities like Ameren and ComEd want to stop the competitive development of transmission. In short, they want to be the only ones with the right to build transmission lines in their service areas in Illinois.
“…[eliminating] the opportunity to bring competitive suppliers and competitive pressures into play for the benefit of consumers is the wrong policy direction.”
Illinois Legislature Sided with Incumbent Utilities Instead of Consumers
Unfortunately, the Illinois legislature voted to eliminate transmission line competition, siding with Ameren and ComEd over consumers. In May, 2023, the legislature passed a law called “ROFR” which stands for Right-of-First-Refusal.
ROFER means there is no competition for billion-dollar transmission line construction – unless the incumbent utility company in the service area “refuses” to build. Under ROFR in Illinois Ameren or ComEd get the contracts if they want them, without submitting competitive bids.
Governor Pritzker Vetoed ROFR
Governor Pritzker vetoed ROFR but Ameren and ComEd are expected to mount an effort to persuade the legislature to try again.
Others in Illinois also recognize the value of competition. The Illinois Citizens Utility Board stated that merchant electric transmission projects and their enhancement of competition would “exert a downward pressure on electricity and transmission costs for Illinois consumers, while also improving the quality of service provided by enhancing the resiliency and reliability of the grid.”