Chicagoans Push Back Against A ComEd Substation

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Sasha-Ann Simons (0:42)

Hey, Chicago, I'm Sasha-Ann Simons, and this is In the Loop.

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But first, there is a one-acre piece of land in Lincoln Park that's become the center of a big neighborhood fight.

Now, ComEd wants to build a new power substation there, saying the North Side's growing demand for electric power makes it necessary. But community organizers say the substation doesn't belong in that area, and building more housing, for instance, would have been a better idea. In this episode of the pod, we'll hear from an advocate and public official, as well as the utility company on their competing visions for the future of the site. At the table with me, Democratic State Rep Ann Williams of Illinois' 11th District, and Kyle Donash of the Diversey Community Coalition. Now, for those who may not be familiar with this dispute, I asked Kyle to catch us up and tell us more about why people are so concerned. Here he is.

Kyle Donash (1:44)

Thanks so much for having me.

Sasha-Ann Simons (1:45)

Sure.

Kyle Donash (1:45)

I really appreciate it.

Again, I'm here representing the Diversey Community Coalition. We are a group of volunteers that is helping educate the community on what ComEd is proposing to build, and also opposing it. We feel very strongly that this substation, which is about the size of a football field, deserves to be built over an industrial corridor. We completely understand the city has tremendous power needs, but again, feel that this belongs where, quite frankly, the rest of the substations that are this size deserve to be built again over in an industrial manufacturing area.

Sasha-Ann Simons (2:24)

Just to orient folks, we're talking about 1111 West Diversey Parkway, that's at Diversey and Seminary.

Kyle Donash (2:30)

Between Seminary and approximately Lincoln.

Sasha-Ann Simons (2:33)

Very close to the Diversey CTA station, if you're familiar with that.

Give us the status of the project representative. Where are things? Because it's a proposal, as far as I understand, it's not happening for sure yet.

Ann Williams (2:47)

Well, ComEd has proposed to the ICC as part of their larger grid planning process, that this would be one of several sub-stations.

Also, they're working with the city to get the zoning in place. So it's kind of a two-front fight for neighbors to try and push back on the site. And it's not about really the infrastructure issue. I think we all agree that the infrastructure is needed, where you support more power on the grid. But it's the site, it's the location. It really does not make sense, and that's why we're here.

Sasha-Ann Simons (3:21)

We spoke with Keisha Parker, who is Vice President of Governmental and External Affairs for ComEd. Here she is talking about why this location makes the most sense for the company.

Keisha Parker (3:31)

We have to make sure that from a location standpoint, it's close to the community we're serving. The second piece is that the footprint, we have to make sure that the size of the parcel meets the needs of our equipment. Another piece is we have to make sure that it's an available piece of land.

Then another piece that's really important to call out is the cost piece. The reason the cost piece is important is because this is ComEd land that was a decommissioned site. When you think about the cost piece of this, because this is already land that we own, and there was already ComEd infrastructure there, when you think of some of the engineering work that we will need to do, it's more cost-effective for us. In addition to the other criteria outlined, it's more cost-effective for our customers to do it at this location.

Sasha-Ann Simons (4:28)

She talks about a couple of things there, the cost, right? This is already their land, they already have ownership there, so it wouldn't cost as much for customers. About the proximity, it needs to be located near where they are providing this electrical power. Let me get responses from both of you. Kyle, first.

Kyle Donash (4:45)

Sure. I would take issue with a couple of things that she said. One is regarding serving the community in the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhood.