Dive Summary:

• Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd) isn’t backing away from the smart grid reliability standards it must meet despite the utility’s contention that Illinois regulators are shortchanging it on revenue.
• ComEd hasn’t said it will accept any financial penalties associated with failing to meet the standards, which has been viewed as a subtle rebellion against the structure of the new smart grid law.
• The initial dispute stems from regulators approving a rate increase for ComEd on the grounds that the company comply with gradually improved service standards, something the utility was not in favor of.

From the article:

Commonwealth Edison Co. CEO Anne Pramaggiore took pains last week to say the company isn't backing away from the reliability standards it's supposed to meet under the new “smart grid” law despite its contention that state regulators are shortchanging it on revenue.

But ComEd won't answer one simple question that seemingly would illustrate its pledge to meet those requirements: If the electric utility fails to meet those standards in 2013, the first year under the law that ComEd is subject to them, will it accept the financial penalties the law says it must pay? ...