Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking to reduce a significant increase in electricity capacity prices scheduled for June 1. This price change affects customers of ComEd.
Raoul argues that the results of the 2025-2026 PJM Interconnection capacity auction could drastically raise electricity costs for consumers. He requests a rerun of the auction under revised rules deemed fairer for consumers.
“PJM and FERC have acknowledged that the rules are flawed, and they have been changed for the next two auctions,” Raoul stated. “I am asking that the most recent auction be conducted again under the revised rules, which have already been approved by FERC. These changes are critical to protect consumers from unreasonable increases to their utility bills.”
Capacity prices form a part of every customer’s electric bill, and they are determined through bidding by electricity-generating companies. In northern Illinois, the auction is managed by PJM, and due to issues in the previous auction, ComEd consumers might see rates increase by 594%. An internal estimate by ComEd suggests an average increase of about $10.50 per consumer each month. Raoul believes a rerun of the auction under the new rules could slash this increase by nearly half.
The complaint suggests holding a new auction that includes specific new rules, such as accounting for existing power serves, which the original rules overlooked. Should a new auction not occur before June 1, the complaint requests that FERC mandate customer refunds for payments that exceed the new auction’s capacity prices.
The Maryland Office of People Counsel and the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel have joined Raoul in filing the complaint.