ComEd-ed

The Headline in the Daily Herald: Power Outage Will Last Days: Crews called in from out of state. A headline we will likely see more often thanks to Mr. John Rowe, Chairman and CEO of Exelon Corporation, the parent company of ComEd.

Here is why: before 2000 when Unicom Inc. was the parent company of ComEd, they had adequate fleet trucks and experienced servicemen to handle damage from severe storms relatively quickly. Then in 2000 Mr. John Rowe was a key architect in dissolving Unicom Inc. and creating Exelon Corporation. In the process vast numbers of fleet trucks and experienced servicemen were canned to boost the stock price and Mr. Rowe’s merger bonus and subsequent profits.

ComEd does not currently have the resources to cover occasional severe storm damage. Regular outages are even tenuously handled. As a result ComEd must always call in outside assistance.

Outages are now longer because outsourced crews have to travel here, find the addresses and become familiar with the system or problem. Meanwhile out of power customers get to sit in 90 degree heat with rotting food. This in effect subsidizes Mr. Rowe’s and Mr. Frank Clark's, Chairman and CEO of ComEd year end bonus.

Making the repairs are not complicated if you have the equipment. Also storms are not a unique event, an excuse ComEd likes to use. ComEd’s management has succeeded in rolling the repair cost and time on to the customer.