ComEd: Your Bill, Outages & Customer Service
Okay, so ComEd's "preparing" for Thanksgiving weather. Big whoop. Every year it's the same song and dance. They trot out the executives to say they're "ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store." Right. Like they have a freakin' choice.
The Usual Song and Dance
Wind and snow, blah, blah, blah. Sixty-mile-an-hour winds? Four to six inches of snow? Welcome to Illinois in November, folks. This ain't exactly breaking news. And you just know they'll be patting themselves on the back for "prioritizing critical facilities." As if they'd let the hospitals go dark first.
David Perez, some VP at ComEd, says any interruption can impact plans. No freakin' kidding, Dave. Tell me something I don't already know while I'm trying to figure out how to pay my comed bill. It’s always the same corporate doublespeak.
Here's a thought: instead of issuing press releases, how about actually fixing the grid so it doesn't collapse the second a snowflake lands?
They inspect power lines and trim trees. Groundbreaking stuff. You know what else they should inspect? Their customer service. Try calling the comed number sometime and see how long you stay sane.
The Smart Meter Scam
And speaking of ComEd and their… uh… "reliability," let's not forget the Elgin guy, Steve Starobrat, whose smart meter decided to have a meltdown. Literally. Elgin man claims smart meter damaged his home but ComEd won’t pay
"The whole casing was melting like cheese. A nice grilled cheese sandwich. Just gooey." I mean, you gotta feel for the guy. He’s out there trying to enjoy his life, and his smart meter decided to become a fire hazard.
ComEd, of course, denied his claim. "No negligence on the part of ComEd." Right. So, the meter spontaneously combusted out of sheer boredom? Give me a break.
And get this: complaints about smart meters are UP 54 percent this year! 54 percent! But, sure, everything's fine. Nothing to see here. Just another day at the office for ComEd.
Jim Chilsen from the Citizens Utility Board nails it: "A lot of times people deal with the company, they feel like they’re banging their head against the wall." Ain’t that the truth.
Starobrat is even considering legal action. Good for him. Maybe a few lawsuits will finally get their attention.
The whole smart meter rollout feels like a bait-and-switch. They sell us on "efficiency" and "modernization," but what we get is higher bills and melting equipment. I’m not saying the smart meters were all a bad idea, but maybe they rushed the process or something.
The "Community Partner" Award - Seriously?
Oh, and I almost forgot. ComEd got an award! A "Community Partner Award" for their Power Up Academy. ComEd Honored with 2025 Community Partner Award for Power Up Academy
Apparently, they're "addressing a shortage of technical talent." Translation: they're trying to look good while simultaneously screwing over customers.
Melissa Y. Washington, another SVP at ComEd, says it's "an investment in people and our communities." It’s a PR stunt. It's a way to distract us from the fact that our power goes out every time the wind blows.
They're partnering with Revolution Workshop and City Colleges of Chicago. All sounds great on paper. But will these graduates actually get jobs that pay a living wage? Or will they just end up as cogs in the ComEd machine, dealing with angry customers and faulty equipment?
I mean, it's good that they're doing something, I guess. But it doesn't change the fact that ComEd is still a giant, faceless corporation that cares more about profits than people. Or maybe I’m just being too cynical. Nah.
The Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home
ComEd’s Thanksgiving plans are just another reminder that we're all at the mercy of a utility company that's more interested in self-preservation than actual service. It’s a constant cycle of promises, failures, and PR spin. And frankly, I'm tired of it.