(CHICAGO – September 27, 2017) The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) today agreed to adopt a greenhouse-gas (GHG) metric that will require Ameren, the electric utility for central and Southern Illinois, to measure and report on emissions reductions associated with its advanced metering infrastructure. The metric was initially proposed by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and developed in concert with ComEd, the electric utility for Northern Illinois, which began using the measurement tool in 2016.
“We have long said that investment in advanced energy tools like smart meters should be used to clean the air, and this metric provides a precise way to calculate just how much pollution is being kept from our skies. Ameren can now track the environmental benefits of its smart-grid investments, including how the utility is meeting Illinois’ ambitious grid modernization goals. We look forward to working with Ameren to ensure that it maximizes the benefits of its advanced energy efforts.”
- Christie Hicks, Manager, Clean Energy Regulatory Implementation
“CUB is pleased with today’s ICC ruling. As Illinois continues historic upgrades to the power grid, it is vital that we have the metrics to measure how effective the smart grid is at making our electricity system more efficient, more affordable and cleaner. This is a step forward in measuring the environmental benefits of the smart grid. We are committed to working with all parties—Ameren, the ICC, and other consumer advocates—toward the goal of building a better power grid to benefit consumers.”
- David Kolata, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board
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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and our Energy Exchange blog.
The Citizens Utility Board is Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit its award-winning website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.