As Californians brace for inevitable summer blackouts, Illinoisans should have an adequate power supply. California's power woes stem from inadequate electric generating capacity because state environmental rules have made it too costly to build plants. But in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, states that are deregulating the electric industry, there's a boom in power-plant construction.
Many energy companies consider the region a good bet for energy sales.
The subsidiary of Exelon Corp. distributes electricity to 3.2 million customers in northern Illinois. About 150 electric customers in the Rockford, Dixon, DeKalb and Crystal Lake areas have agreed to cut back if needed, said Dean Breuer, ComEd's manager of the northwest region. It has added 2,000 megawatts of generating capacity. Don Kirchoffner, vice president of corporate communications for Exelon, said ComEd has built plants and bought power from other companies for use during peak demand. A megawatt can supply power to about 1,000 homes.