ComEd Customers to Share $36.7M Refund

Commonwealth Edison customers will share a $36.7 million refund after the utility was found to have wrongly inflated consumer electricity rates.

The Illinois Commerce Commission ordered the action Thursday, which stems from an appeal of a 2007 rate case. The Illinois Appellate Court ruled in 2010 in favor of consumer advocates who contended the ICC erred in allowing ComEd to improperly account for depreciation of its assets, including trucks, poles and other equipment.

After losing the appeal, Commonwealth Edison contended the Appellate Court had not directly ordered a refund for consumers.

In adopting the views of consumer advocates, the ICC went against a proposed order from an administrative law judge who contended a refund was not necessary.

The Citizens Utility Board commended the decision.

"It’s always good news when customers get money back in their pockets. But this victory is even more significant because the Appellate Court ruling that sparked the refund set a precedent in rate cases that will save consumers money on their utility bills for years to come," said company spokesman Jim Chilsen.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago

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