ComEd’s investments to improve the reliability and resiliency of the power grid in northern Illinois continue to pay off for customers, as the company in the first three quarters of 2022 delivered the most reliable electric service in its more than century-long history. Reliability is defined using industry-standard metrics to determine how often customers experience power outages and how long power outages last when they do occur.

Overall reliability for the first nine months of 2022 was 82 percent better than when ComEd began smart grid improvements in 2011. Since these investments began, ComEd and its more than 6,200 employees have helped customers avoid more than 18.8 million outages, saving more than $3 billion in outage-related costs. More than 3.6 million of ComEd’s more than 4 million customers have experienced, on average, less than one outage so far in 2022.

“It wasn’t that long ago that most ComEd customers expected power outages and considered them commonplace,” said ComEd President and COO Terence R. Donnelly. “Today the story is very different. Our investments in the grid are paying off as ComEd today offers some of the best reliability in the nation, ensuring ComEd customers have reliable and sustainable power when they need it the most.”

ComEd continues to deliver tremendous value for customers. In addition to providing industry-leading reliability, ComEd’s rates today are among the most competitive in the nation: Average residential rates are 21 percent lower than the top 10 U.S. metro areas, and average commercial rates are 13 percent lower than the top 20 U.S. metro areas. As a percentage of residents' median income, ComEd's residential electricity cost is nearly the lowest in the country.

ComEd’s reliable and resilient service also are helping to boost new investment and jobs for the region. Last year alone, ComEd helped launch 16 new commercial projects with commitments to invest $3 billion locally and create 4,700 new jobs. As a testament to companies’ confidence in ComEd’s reliable infrastructure, 2022 is on pace to deliver a significant level of regional investment, with major growth driven by data center, manufacturing, transportation and logistics industries, among others.

ComEd’s top performance on reliability was further underscored when it was recently recognized as a top 20 energy company by Site Selection magazine, a comparison with 3,300 utility providers nationally.

“Strong infrastructure is an essential component of company location decisions and ComEd’s commitment to reliable energy in Illinois provides an important resource in attracting businesses to the state,” said Intersect Illinois CEO Dan Seals.

“ComEd’s smart grid investments are paying off, with fewer outages, improved storm response time, and enhanced resilience to meet the evolving needs of our communities across northern Illinois,” said Palos Park Mayor John F. Mahoney, Chairman of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “Municipalities are vested in a resilient grid as we work collaboratively to expand access to EVs and solar energy towards an inclusive clean energy future.”

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