The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved Ameren Illinois' smart grid initiative, which the utility says is a key element of the Ameren Illinois Modernization Action Plan.
"We view this as a positive step toward implementation of the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA)," says Ameren Illinois President and CEO Richard J. Mark. "This approval is confirmation from the ICC that advanced meters benefit our customers."
Funding for these upgrades is still a point of dispute with the ICC, Ameren notes. Last week, the Illinois State Senate passed a resolution that called on the ICC to comply with the EIMA, legislation that provides incentives for investor-owned utilities to make upgrades to and investments in the electric distribution grid. Until the dispute is resolved, the utility says funding for these capital investments is in jeopardy.
"We will be proceeding cautiously until Illinois utilities have the financial certainty needed to move forward with much-needed enhancements to the state's electric grid," Mark adds.
