Commonwealth Edison's CEO says the state's largest utility is about halfway through with a major component of a grid modernization program.
A controversial law passed in 2011 hiked the price for the delivery of electricity. Ameren and ComEd were to use the money for infrastructure upgrades, like the installation of so-called "smart meters."
Smart meters are digital devices that measure electricity use, and send that information back to the utilities.
"And I think the biggest boon for these smart meters is just the access they give customers to information and control and pricing programs," ComEd’s Anne Pramaggiore said.
Pramaggiore says the company put in about 2 million smart meters throughout its northern Illinois territory so far. When all is said and done, that number will nearly double.
But some residents think the "smart" meters are just the opposite and have rejected them.
Critics question the supposed savings, and raise health and privacy concerns.
