ComEd CEO Proposes New Rules to Protect Consumers from AI Costs

The Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd), Gil Quiniones, has called for regulatory changes to mitigate the financial impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on consumers’ electricity bills. In a statement made during the Global Quantum Forum in Chicago, Quiniones highlighted the need for modifications to tariffs, including increased deposits for data centers, which are rapidly expanding due to the AI boom.

Quiniones emphasized that the aim of these proposals is to prevent costs associated with AI-powered data centers from being passed on to other electricity customers. “What really needs to happen is to make sure that we’re not shifting costs due to data centers powered by AI to all the other customers,” he stated. This call for action comes amid growing concerns regarding the rising electricity demand driven by the substantial build-out of AI infrastructure.

Concerns about rising energy costs have intensified as the United States experiences its largest surge in electricity demand in decades. Power suppliers, including ComEd’s parent company, Exelon Corp., are struggling to keep up with the increased demand. Quiniones’ comments were echoed by Chris Womack, CEO of Southern Co., who warned that American consumers may react negatively if they face soaring electricity bills resulting from AI-related developments.

The situation is further underscored by a recent electricity auction conducted by PJM Interconnection LLC, which revealed that businesses and households within its service area will incur a record $16.1 billion in costs to ensure power supplies for the year starting in June 2026. This figure marks a significant increase and highlights the urgency of addressing the potential financial strain on consumers. The PJM region includes major urban areas, such as Chicago.

In the auction, prices could have escalated even higher if not for a legal action taken by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who filed a lawsuit to impose caps on rate increases. Calvin Butler, CEO of Exelon, remarked during a panel discussion that electricity prices are expected to continue rising. “Policy is very important because we have to get this right. And I wish I could tell you today that we have an answer for the short term,” Butler noted.

Quiniones also pointed out the importance of monitoring the growth of quantum computing in Illinois, which is occurring alongside the expansion of data centers. While quantum computing is less energy-intensive than AI, the state is witnessing significant investment in this sector. The Chicago quantum and microelectronics park, initiated by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, has attracted over $1 billion in funding from companies such as PsiQuantum Corp., International Business Machines Corp., and Infleqtion.

“For now, we are a state that exports power,” Quiniones said. He stressed the necessity for close collaboration with PJM and state regulators to ensure that appropriate investments are made in both generation capacity and the transmission system moving forward. As the energy landscape evolves, the focus remains on safeguarding consumers while accommodating the demands of emerging technologies.