ComEd announced the launch of "Powering People", which it called a series of initiatives, "in a broader assistance effort to help protect customers against fraud, offer more transparency around competitive energy choices and provide assistance to the most vulnerable customers."

Among the key initiatives of the program is allowing utility customer service reps to discuss the Price to Compare with retail supplier customers who contact ComEd. ComEd's intent for such a program was exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com yesterday (see story here)

"Everyone – regardless of their background or status – should enjoy reliable, affordable and secure energy," said Joe Dominguez, CEO of ComEd. "We are proud to launch Powering People because customers should never feel vulnerable when it comes to their energy bills. We are eager to empower customers with the information and tools they need to power their lives."

ComEd said that Powering People’s three pillars will:

• "Inform: Help inform customers on how to spot scammers and other fraud attempts."

• "Empower: Provide customers with increased transparency on their energy bills, including Price to Compare."

• "Assist: Establish additional financial assistance programs for ComEd’s most vulnerable customers."

Inform

"ComEd is launching a public awareness campaign to help protect customers from scammers. This initiative will make customers aware of how ComEd does and does not contact customers and give customers tips on what type of behaviors should raise red flags. ComEd will work with community partners to share data on the types of reported scams and inform customers how they can report any kind of fraud," ComEd said

Empower

As exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com yesterday (see story here), ComEd filed a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) asking the organization to enable ComEd to provide greater transparency around competitive energy options. This will enable ComEd customer service representatives to discuss changes to customer bills, explain the Price to Compare and direct customers to the ICC’s website for more information. It will also enable representatives to share the types of frequently asked questions that may be helpful for anyone considering alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES).

Assist

In the coming months, eligible ComEd customers will soon be able to enroll in a Supplemental Arrearage Program (SARP) – an assistance program that eases the financial stress of paying for power and encourages energy efficiency as the result of timely bill payments. ComEd customers who are at 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and have back payments owed to ComEd will be able to enroll in SARP. ComEd said that it is the first utility in Illinois to offer such a program.

ComEd is prepared to add an additional $100 million to its ComEd CARE program, which provides financial assistance to its most vulnerable customers, as part of proposed legislation should it pass.

Tags:
ComEd   Price to Compare   Illinois  

Comment on this story


ADVERTISEMENT
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com
TPV-SALES-EXECUTIVE -- Back Office Provider -- Other
Sr-Market-Risk-Analyst -- Wholesale Supplier/Trader -- New York - New York City Metro
Energy-Regulatory-Specialist -- Other -- Other
More Stories on RetailEnergyX.com:
Illinois PIRG Recommends Forcing Exelon To Divest From ComEd, Requiring ComEd TOU Supply Rates
Chicago Municipalization Of ComEd Would Cost Nearly $9 Billion, Study Says
Exelon Generation Announces Intent To Retire Two Illinois Nuclear Plants In 2021
AARP Says Illinois Should End Retail Choice In Light Of ComEd Bribery Scandal
DOJ: ComEd, "Agrees to Pay $200M to Resolve Federal Criminal Investigation Into Bribery Scheme"