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Introduction:
For 240 individuals caring for loved ones at northern Illinois hospitals, finding quality meals became easier last month thanks to dozens of ComEd employees representing ENABLED, an employee resource group organized by ComEd’s parent company, Exelon.
It’s who we are and what we do. Powering lives is about making sure every customer has the energy they need to thrive and to meet their ever- evolving needs. For over a century, we have kept our promise to our customers to be more than an energy company. We deliver on that promise every day by empowering our communities, driving innovation, delivering clean energy and supporting our customers for a brighter tomorrow.
This past April, ComEd Senior Business Analyst, Kimberly Brown, led 35 members of ENABLED, which stands for Exelon Network for Awareness Benefiting Leaders & Employees About Disabilities, in a volunteer effort to provide 240 meal kits to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC provides shelter for families with children who need to travel for medical care, as well as wrap-around services during their stay, such as nutritious meal programs, education programs, medical and dental care, and more.
As Vice President of ENABLED, Kimberly spearheaded a critical initiative that assembled meal kits at ComEd’s Energy Solution Center in Oak Brook, with meticulous care so that kits could be disbursed to families caring for children in need of healthcare. “Every item in the meal kits was thoughtfully chosen for breakfast and lunch to meet the diverse needs of the recipients, carrying messages of hope and encouragement,” explained Kimberly.
The ENABLED volunteer team delivered these care packages to families with loved ones at Loyola Hospital in Maywood and Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. “Our journey signifies more than just corporate engagement; it’s about making a meaningful impact within our local community,” added Kimberly.
Personal Inspiration:
Kimberly spent much of her childhood in hospital corridors, surrounded by her devoted family “As someone who has experienced medical crises firsthand, I understand the importance of simple acts of kindness during challenging times,” Kimberly shared. “The gratitude of the recipients reaffirmed our dedication to making a difference, one meal at a time.”
“We are so thankful for the support of Kimberly’s team at ComEd in providing 240 Grab-and-go Meal Kits,” said Melanie Keen, Manager of Community Engagement at Ronald McDonald House Charities. “Our families are often on the go, so having meals they can easily take with them to the hospital is critical in ensuring they are provided the nourishment they need to get through the long and often tiring days. The notes of encouragement in each kit added a level of comfort through positivity that our families also greatly appreciated.”
In the end, it was not about the food they delivered. According to Kimberly, it was about the connections they forged, the smiles they shared, and the lives they touched. “Our collaboration with Ronald McDonald House goes beyond nourishing bodies; it’s about nurturing spirits and fostering connections within our community.”
Empowering Communities:
On the morning of May 10, it was all cheers and smiles at the underground splicer apprenticeship graduation held at ComEd’s Chicago Training Center. However, one graduate looked back on the challenges and hard work it took to arrive at this major accomplishment.
Victor Velasquez and his five sisters were raised by his Mexican immigrant parents in the Chicago neighborhood of Back of the Yards. As he grew up, he worked several odd jobs to help his family make ends meet but never found his true calling. One day at a bus stop, after an exhausting day of working at the local cheese factory, he noticed a crew of ComEd field workers across the street. They stopped to perform electrical work, but what caught his eye were the smiles on their faces while they worked. At that moment, Victor prayed for guidance to land a job like that. Months later, he came across a Facebook post about the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy – ComEd’s premiere trades training program designed to introduce participants to entry-level roles in the energy and utility fields. This was the sign Victor had been waiting for.
Victor applied and entered CONSTRUCT through a ComEd community partner, National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) the fall of 2017. Because the program is a serious time commitment and Victor knew this was the opportunity he had been searching for, he leaned on his family’s support to quit one of his two jobs. Victor chuckled as he recalled how he was able to clear his day for the program’s courses. “I started taking the night shift and as soon as I clocked out, I would have to sprint to NLEI to make it to class on time because it was too early for the CTA to begin the bus service.”
Despite the challenges, Victor was motivated to learn, earn the certifications the program offers such as CPR, OSHA-10, and CDL, and prepare for the CAST (Construction and Skilled Trades) exam, an industry-required test – all to become a qualified entry-level job candidate. Unique to the program, a job fair, organized and powered by a coalition of agency partners and sponsoring companies, connected program participants to potential employers. This is how Victor initially landed a role at People’s Gas as a seasonal project worker for two years. All the while he kept an eye on ComEd’s job postings because to Victor, joining ComEd was the target goal.
Finally, in October 2020, with industry certifications and new utility experience under his belt, Victor landed an entry-level role at ComEd as a Construction Worker – a starting point on the path to becoming a line worker. However, to enter into a ComEd apprenticeship, new hires are required to complete a 20-day qualifying school, which at the time, was being held at the Rockford Training Center. Again, Victor reminisced on his transportation barriers, “To make it to Rockford, I would have to take three buses to Maywood, where a fellow new hire lived, to hitch a ride with him.”
Upon completing the 20-day qualifying school, Victor joined ComEd’s underground splicer apprenticeship, and immediately noticed his life changing for the better. Not only did he use his first paycheck to treat his family to a restaurant meal, but he also used those very first ComEd paystubs as proof of income to purchase a car.
“As I continued through my apprenticeship, putting in the time and effort to study and practice, I could see my life getting back on track,” said Victor. “I was able to pay off all my debt and now that I’m a full-fledged line worker, I feel validated in the choices and sacrifices I made to participate in CONSTRUCT. My family is proud, and I’m both very happy and thankful for all the support I’ve received. It was all well worth it.”
Since its start, CONSTRUCT has trained more than 800 participants and connected over 70 percent to jobs post-graduation. Building on the success of the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, ComEd launched last year the CONSTRUCT Youth Academy, a paid summer training program for rising high school juniors and seniors to learn early on about future career options in the energy industry. Now through May 31, applications are being accepted by program partners the YMCA of Metro Chicago and Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago. Learn more about ComEd career readiness programs by visiting www.ComEd.com/CleanEnergyJobs.
Driving Innovation:
Meet Matt Seery, a ComEd reliability engineer serving the Joliet area. In his role, he performs in-depth investigations of sites experiencing multiple service interruptions and researches ways to improve system reliability. One way he does this is by flying a drone, or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a tool that’s relatively new to the energy industry yet is already proving to enhance ComEd’s ability to troubleshoot power interruptions safely and efficiently.
“When I first earned my UAS pilot license in 2016, drones were new even to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic,” said Matt. “At the time, only six of us at ComEd were licensed to use the drones to investigate outages. Today, ComEd has more than 50 craft and engineering pilots ready to take a quicker, closer look at equipment in hard-to-reach areas.”
Using drones, ComEd has been able to assess damage to equipment faster, boost equipment maintenance, and fulfill proactive strategies to protect power infrastructure, all to ensure nation-leading reliability across northern Illinois. Earlier this year, ComEd earned the Chartwell Gold Outage Operations Award for its UAS program, which comprises a fleet of 75 drones capable of sharing data in real time and enhancing utility operations. Drones are used by first responders, Overhead Electrical Specialists, and Reliability Engineers, like Matt, across ComEd’s service territory.
Learn how Matt uses drones to help fix persistent power interruptions and maintain power reliability for the communities of Joliet.
Supporting Customers:
Mylar balloons are like the rockstars of the party world – they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they’ve got that irresistible metallic sheen that just screams “celebration!” Whether celebrating a birthday, a graduation, or just the fact that it’s Thursday, mylar balloons are there to add that extra pop to any occasion.
“Mylar balloons are a delightful addition to any celebration, but it’s important to handle them with caution,” said Kristina Anderson, Senior Business Analyst at ComEd. “Their metallic properties make them attractive, but they can also conduct electricity and cause surges or outages if they come into contact with power lines.”
In 2023, there were 257 reported instances of mylar balloon-related outages, leaving around 55,000 customers in the dark. 62 percent of these were ComEd’s Chicago customers.
While 2023 saw an increase in mylar balloon-related outages over the prior year, with most of these outages occurring during the warmer weather season, ComEd is providing tips on how to keep celebrations and your lights shining bright:
Fly mylar balloons indoors. If outside, make sure they are tied tightly to a weight that will hold them to the ground.
Deflate the balloons completely after using and dispose of them responsibly.
Never release them into the sky where they can pose a threat to power lines.
If you spot a stray balloon dangerously close to power lines, don’t hesitate to contact ComEd for assistance at 1-800-EDISON-1 (800-334-7661).
Always assume power lines are live and keep yourself, your belongings and anything you are carrying at least 10 feet away from power lines.
“By following simple precautions, such as proper disposal and avoiding power lines, you and others can enjoy your festivities without worry,” mentioned Kristina. “In addition to power hazards, these balloons can float for days—they are not biodegradable— if not properly disposed of, they can have a deadly impact on wildlife.”
Keeping mylar balloons out of the sky and away from power lines is key to keeping the lights on and the celebrations going safely this season!
WE POWER MORE THAN JUST HOMES AND BUSINESSES - WE POWER LIVES.
Billing And Payment Method:
Payment Method:
1. Online Payments: Customers can pay their bills quickly and securely through
Tampa Electric's website. The online portal allows for easy access to account
information, payment history, and billing statements.
2. Automatic Payments: Enrolling in automatic payments ensures bills are paid on
time without the hassle of manual processing. Customers can set up automatic
deductions from their bank account or credit/debit card.
3. Pay by Phone: Tampa Electric offers a toll-free number that customers can call
to make payments over the phone using a checking account, savings account, or
credit/debit card.
4.In-Person Payments: For those who prefer to pay in person, Tampa Electric has
authorized payment locations throughout its service territory. These include retail
stores, payment centers, and kiosks.
5.Mail Payments: Customers can also opt to mail their payments using the
provided payment stub and return envelope included with their monthly bill.
1. Account Information: Your name, address, and account number.
2. Billing Period: The dates covered by the bill.
3. Electricity Usage:
- Kilowatt-hours (kWh): The amount of electricity used.
- Cost: The total cost of your electricity usage.
4. Rate Plan: Your pricing plan, which may include:
- Tiered rates: Different prices for different usage levels.
- Time-of-use (TOU) rates: Prices vary based on the time of day.
5. Charges:
- Generation: The cost of producing electricity.
- Transmission: The cost of moving electricity from the generator to your home.
- Distribution: The cost of delivering electricity to your home.
- Taxes and fees: Local and state taxes, plus any additional fees.
6. Discounts or Adjustments: Any credits or adjustments applied to your bill.
7. Payment Information: Your payment due date, amount, and options.
Some additional tips to help you navigate your bill:
- Check your usage patterns to identify opportunities to save energy and money.
- Consider switching to a different rate plan if your usage habits change.
- Look for any errors or discrepancies in your bill and contact your electric company if you have questions.
Remember, understanding your bill can help you make informed decisions about your energy usage and potentially save you money!
