Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy
Chicago City Council
Environment
Politics
Remote
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Ryland Pietras
ComEd franchise renewal, Solar power, Smart grids, Electrical outages, Environmental justice communities
Live reporting by
Ayesha Riaz
ComEd franchise renewal, Solar power, Smart grids, Electrical outages, Environmental justice communities
ayesha_offline
@ayesha_offline
Morning, I'll be live-tweeting the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy for @CHIdocumenters.
11:08 AM Jun 7, 2022 CDT
The Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy covers legislation on abatement of air, water, noise pollution, and other improvements. They also cover matters that affect public utilities, except for when covered by the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Meeting began at 11:07 am with quorum and approval of the May 2022 Rule 45 Report, with the main agenda item being subject matter hearing on ComEd’s Annual Franchise Report and Summer Preparedness.
First up is Bill Quinones, recently appointed CEO of ComEd in Nov 2021, speaks about the importance of grid modernization, and his previous and as ‘stewards of the grid’, seek to expand electrification to support transition to 100% clean energy.
Quinones wants to make clear that ComEd will be doing business with transparency. Since the recent DOJ’s conduct investigation and entering as a different DBA, ComEd continues to strengthen their compliance with policies, oversight, and employee training.
Second speaker is Terry Donnelly, Chief Operating Officer, ComEd, to go over the improvements and summer plan. Donnelly thanks all involved in ComEd + City of Chicago efforts, stating improved reliability by 75% since the last decade.
Chicago customers experienced 0 or 1 interruption last year, a 24% improvement compared to 2007/ 2011 historic averages prior to investments in smart grid technology.
An additional 2 million interruptions were avoided due to 2,400 smart-switches. Energy efficiency programs generated $6.4 billion in savings and 60 million megawatt hours.
Going forward: in partnership with City and State levels, including dept mitigation, ComEd is working to remove barriers to EV, committing to electrifying 50% of the fleet by 2030, and working to expand solar energy, to harness clean energy.
Two successful Chicago projects: 1) Bronzeville community microgrid, which is supported by US Dept of Energy grants, is being studied how the microgrid enhances community resilience during disruptive events.
The Bronzeville microgrid was able to disconnect and reconnect to the main power grid without any service interruptions. Next is to integrate distributed energy like solar and battery to further clean energy integration.
2) ComEd, in partnership with AMSC and US Dept of Homeland Security implemented a high temp superconductor at the substation in Avondale neighborhood in July 2021, the first utility in the nation to permanently install a superconductor-based system.
ComEd developed trainings with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago to expand STEM education, placing emphasis on diverse participation and expanding partnerships with University of Illinois-Chicago, Illinois Tech, and DePaul University.
Terry Donnelly continues, stating significant expansion for the utility disconnecting program, energy bill assistance, and to leverage technology for customers, like smart assistance manager (used by 17,000) that tailors recommendations for eligibility.
Sandra Blakemore, Acting Commissioner of Chicago Dept of Assets, Information and Services (AIS) speaks on 2 things: 1) reliability performance, summer readiness, plan for managing peak demand and 2) updates on new negotiations.
Reliability performance is measured by two industry standards:
SAFDI (system average interruption frequency index) which measures outages experienced, and CADI (customer average interruption duration index) which measures avg length of time it takes to restore electricity.
SAFDI (system average interruption frequency index) which measures outages experienced, and CADI (customer average interruption duration index) which measures avg length of time it takes to restore electricity.
The target for CADI, the average interruption duration is 100 minutes. In 2021, without storms, it took ComEd 59 min to restore electricity. In 2021, with storms, it took ComEd 86 min. When compared with CADI for 2020 with storms, it was 73 min. System-wide was 134 min.
A new concern of AIS is looking into newly available data measuring performance in environmental justice neighborhoods in the city. They did not go into detail about what was available and which units of measurement.
In terms of summer readiness: the forecasted peak load is 20,375 megawatts. (This is lower than last year’s actual peak load of 21,000 megawatt hours. ComEd believes that they are prepared after assessing system vulnerabilities and setting a well-defined action plan.
As part of the IL ComEd integrated grid workshops, reliability performance can now be tracked by census blocks for comparison. ComEd asked consultant to analyze and found that environmental justice/Invest SW communities have more frequent outages with longer duration.
About negotiation: Mr. Quinones wishes to restart discussions under his leadership to see if there is now greater alignment. Last April, AIS issued a request for information and was evaluating in Fall 2021.
Although there is overlap, AIS has not reached alignment on support required from ComEd via resources, technical assistance and funding provided through non-rate payer sources.
Alder Samantha Nugent asks more about the resiliency of the grid in terms of cyber-related events and if power could be transmitted as far as the East Coast. Donnelly (COO, ComEd) explains that they began work on the Avondale substation 5 years ago.
The superconducting cable was founded through the Dept of Energy and Dept of Homeland Security, with Phase 1 testing at National Labs with testing in TN. Due to territory problems, project was transferred to Chicago, where it now 1st superconductor in nation and 3rd worldwide.
Alder David La Spata, glad to hear of SAFDI and CADI scores, but disturbed that the rates for 10th and 8th wards are almost 3x the average for Chicago. They ask what led to the 10% increase in CADI score, and what remedial actions have been taken.
Michelle Blaise, SVP Technical Services ComEd explains that in wards of interest, they have done analysis and are waiting on the implementation. Alder David La Spata requests for ward-based benchmark information and confirms it will be received by the board later.
Terry Donnelly, COO, ComEd, shares further about advanced sensor equipment and switches to prevent outages. Alder La Spata reiterates the importance of equity in electrification and environmental justice to hold ourselves accountable as a city, and also to our utility partner.
Alder Matt Martin shares concerns around disparities that impact the south and west sides, stating that it is problematic. He asks specifically about a timeline for updates so the board does not have to wait until next year for the corrective plan.
Michelle Blaise states that they identify issues and actions are developed immediately but not implemented until the following year. She adds that the system is not designed by neighborhood or community, but a feeder that extends to several wards around it.
Alder Matt Martin also questions EV charging infrastructure plan if electricity usages will only increase, to make sure that the existing disparities also don’t increase as a result.
Donnelly states that they are working closely with CTA with plans to electrify the bus fleet and have working pilot programs for charging options. Blaise adds that they’re working on converting 7 bus garages for electric infrastructure and support CTA federal transit grants.
Alder Matt Martin confirms for a June update and asks for ComEd’s capacity to provide additional updates as reports are revised. Glenn Rippie, General Counsel, ComEd, says they will share more upcoming details. Alder Matt Martin asks again for specific measures.
ComEd leadership appears confused, throws the question between Rippie, Donnelly and Blaise who shares ideas for future commitment citing potential rebate program.
Alder George Cardenas asks about the property at 333 S Lasalle and the significant power outages at Willis Tower.
Donnelly explains ComEd is always looking for properties. The outage at Sears--Willis tower was due to flooding off of Lower Wacker, there were some breaches from basement construction and took 7 days to fully restore the tower.
15 workers climbed 104 stories with tools to restore power. ComEd now has increased visibility to monitor Chicago river gauges and updated flood response actions. Alder Cardenas wonders if this could happen again in other downtown construction sites.
Cardenas mentions in the past week there was a power outage in the 5th ward that lasted 5 hours. He asks about the impact of rising energy prices and what is being done for community solar. He also brings up ComEd's required $10 million to shareholders.
Donnelly speaks of investments in voltage optimization for hosting capacity, a 2% system savings, and IL being on track for clean energy. He adds that on the Bronzeville microgrid, there is solar installed on the Dearborn homes that's integrated with battery storage.
Melissa Washington, SVP of Customer Operations at ComEd, responds that the $10 million was through the CARE Act, which was not renewed and expired at the end of 2021. There are other federal leftover dollars that they are trying to get to people effectively.
Washington states the focus on education and using advocates that are from the community. A solar program with 600 customers called Give Away helps direct customers to become solar development subscribers with offsets.
In the past year, ComEd disconnected approximately 27,000 customers out of 4 million, with 72% of those customers coming back online. Customers rely on different household drivers like flexible payment plans and access to funding.
Alder Michele Smith, explains that pole issues are an operational thorn because all involved parties using the poles are confused about who is responsible for what, like restoring the street and alleyway. She asks if ComEd is willing to enter conversations about pole restoration.
David Perez, SVP Distribution Operations, agrees much coordination is required and are open to discuss process w/stakeholders. Smith appreciates verbal agreement, but would like something in writing for alder guidance on ComEd’s pole removal responsibilities and maintenance.
Alder La Spata, back on the mic with questions regarding franchise agreement, stating that it is overdue (since it expired at the end of 2020) and references 3 points from letters that Mayor Lightfoot sent to previous CEO Dominguez in July and September 2020.
Point 1: ComEd must ensure interconnections of solar installations in Chicago. La Spata asks ComEd how they see community solar agreements being codified in the agreement.
Blaise states that developers make the decision on where to build solar, and ComEd provides tools like hosting capacity map to see where optimal locations for solar is, but “ultimately the decision is theirs.”
Blaise responds “In terms of community solar developments, ComEd doesn’t make that decision, but we try to facilitate and encourage as much as possible.” Donnelly reiterates ComEd’s partnership with AIS and how IL is leading in terms of ‘encouragement’ to build community solar.
Alder Daniel La Spata rephrases question for clarity: “In 2020 there were 0 community solar developments in Chicago. How many community solar developments are there now?” Blaise’s response is “I think it’s 0 but I will have to confirm.”
Donnelly, COO, interjects that there is still work to be done like subscriptions for community solar, but they cannot control where it is being cited from.
La Spata asks if ComEd can waive or chooses to waive fees for community solar. Glenn Rippie states that the interconnection process is regulated, and they are not fees that can be waived: “If the process requires an update cost to be passed on, we have to respect that process.”
Point 2: La Spata’s second question refers to ComEd’s commitment to eliminating late fees and tiered rate strategy based on customer’s ability to pay and the city’s utility billing relief program.
Donnelly explains that legislation has codified most of these requests like reconnection fees and ability to pay with credit card without a charge. Glenn Rippie adds that it also requires the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to perform study for low-income rates.
La Spata attempts to understand: ComEd will work with ICC and city to establish tiered rate structure for low-income Chicagoans? Rippie corrects that they are willing to gather information for ICC proposals, but rate structures are addressed in commission tariffs.
Point 3: Alder La Spata asks AIS the cost of not having a franchise agreement, and why it is expected. Sandra Blakemore, AIS, states that they will not present an agreement that doesn’t align on the city’s equity and climate goals.
Alder La Spata asks about economic losses to not having a franchise agreement, because the current agreement just continues to roll over?
Jennifer Muss, Dept of Fleet and Facility Management, confirms that although the agreement expired in 2020, the franchise conditions are held over as they’ve existed for 28 years. Whichever utility gets agreement must commit to decarbonizing programs and electric infrastructure.
Muss understands the tension: “We’re at a crossroads, a moment where the energy landscape is transforming… and we need to meet the moment and need a utility partner that's going to meet the moment with us. We’re not there yet.”
La Spata thanks everyone for their patience and reminds that the climate future hinges on the decisions made in the next 3-5 years.
Alder Matt Martin asks if there was a written response by ComEd to the mayor’s letters. Melissa Washington said 2 team reps came together in January 2021 until the April RFI launch. Conversations reconvened after the new CEO.
Alder Matt Martin asks for assurances that they will not be in the same condition next year (aside from pandemic and RFI lags). He asks from lack of clarity: how much is feasibility/financially related?
Alder Matt Martin (and others in City Council) struggle to understand that although this is a once in a generation opportunity: “Maybe we shouldn’t have financial agreements that last for 30 years given the pace of technological change”.
Melissa Washington shares that ComEd is extremely motivated and have demonstrated that through their time and commitment.
Alder Matt Martin asks again if ComEd thinks that things are on track to finalize an agreement within the next 12 months. Donnelly thinks they will due to part speculation and part opinion on his part.
Washington reiterates ComEd’s motivation. Alder Martin requests written correspondence following the mayor's letters to see how points of disagreement were narrowed.
Washington deflects that ComEd must work offline to figure that out. Rippie explains that most was not written, occurred through discussions, and the major response was from RFI, but will communicate internally and get back to the city.
Alder George Cardenas thanks the ComEd team and all involved, expecting further conversations about the franchise agreement. Meeting is adjourned at 1:26 PM.
Agency Information
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago and consists of the Mayor and Aldermen elected from each of the City’s fifty wards. Source
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Documents
6/7/2022
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