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Grid modernization will provide more value to consumers than it costs. Here are the facts.

• Grid modernization will require about a $3 per month increase on the average customer’s bill.
• But that cost will be more than offset by benefits in real and quantifiable ways.

Three ways consumers will save:

1. Utilities will become more efficient through modernization. The savings are passed on to consumers. This alone will offset the entire $3 rate increase.
2. Outages have costs. Consumers will reap tangible savings with fewer outages. This equates to about $1 per month, per customer, in value.
3. When consumers have smart meters they can better manage their usage and reduce their energy budget.

Specific reliability enhancements are in the law with financial penalties for utilities that fail to deliver.

• Outage frequency will be cut by 20% over 10 years, resulting in 700,000 fewer outages per year.
• Outage duration will be cut by 15% over 10 years through Smart Grid technologies that allow faster response to outages.

For more information on all the benefits of grid modernization through SB 1652, visit www.SmartEnergyIL.com.