Illinois Regulators Open "NextGrid" Investigation On Utility of the Future, Consumers, Markets

The Illinois Commerce Commission will initiate a collaborative process called NextGrid, "in which the industry and other stakeholders can develop a shared base of information and work to build consensus on critical issues facing the electric utility industry now and as it continues to rapidly transform."

The collaborative will examine, among other topics:

1. Consumers, Communities, and Economic Development

2. Grid Design, Digital Networks and Markets

3. Regulation and Encouraging Innovation

4. Climate Change and the Environment

A grid modernization study will be presented to the ICC at a formal policy session early this summer. Interim and final reports are expected in early and late 2018 respectively.