Exelon says 'clock is ticking' for legislative assistance
By Cole Lauterbach | The Center Square May 19, 2020
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Offering Exelon a separate market to sell power in would likely result in higher energy bills, said Todd Maisch, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
“This is yet another subsidy of a business’ assets that are, admittedly by the company, profitable,” he said. “Those subsidies are going to be paid by all of the other businesses that are struggling to survive in today’s economic atmosphere.”
Others warned that lawmakers could mask a significant bailout to the well-connected utility as a green energy initiative.
“Exelon just wants a government subsidy, their rationale being that their profit margins have fallen quite a bit,” said Ike Brannon, senior fellow of the Jack Kemp Foundation and an Illinois native. “By redoing the distribution network, it would increase the subsidies that they give to Exelon. If the goal really is to do something to increase green energy, this doesn’t accomplish that.”
The request comes as ComEd, the utility branch of Exelon, is under federal scrutiny for its lobbying practices in Springfield. In a federal disclosure, the company said it was on the receiving end of two federal subpoenas regarding lobbying practices and its relationship with former state Sen. Martin Sandoval. The longtime Chicago Democrat, who headed the powerful Senate Transportation Committee, pleaded guilty to corruption charges in January. He’s been cooperating with investigators. No one in the company has been charged with a crime YET (inserted YET).
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state has more pressing issues when asked about his knowledge of the utility’s push for state assistance.
“I’ve said that we’re going to make sure that we work on an energy package for the state and we don’t need the high-paid lobbyists to be guiding that for us,” he said at a news conference earlier this month. “I can’t tell you when something will get passed on it. My hope has been that the legislature has been continuing its work in the working groups that have been created for it.”
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/exelon-says-clock-is-ticking-for-legislative-assistance/article_6f228118-99f4-11ea-bd10-cfa79d0afde2.html
Comms Execs Jennifer Mullin, Jean Medina leave Exelon
The exits are taking place as ComEd and Exelon are at the center of a federal grand jury investigation into the company’s lobbying activities. David Fein, who led state government relations for Exelon, left the company in August after a sexual harassment complaint against him surfaced.
Medina will be succeeded by Paul Elsberg, who has been promoted to VP of communications for ComEd, reporting to Rader, effective on Sunday. Elsberg most recently served as director of communications for ComEd.
https://www.prweek.com/article/1683701/comms-execs-jennifer-mullin-jean-medina-leave-exelon