Mayor Rahm Emanuel and ComEd President and COO Anne Pramaggiore announced Wednesday key elements of a $1.1 billion electric system infrastructure investment plan. Under this plan, the portion of ComEd’s electric system that serves Chicago will be modernized, starting this year, creating more than 2,400 jobs for Chicago. ComEd will directly create nearly 1,000 jobs associated with this investment that benefit Chicago, including 350-400 jobs this year.

ComEd’s planned system enhancements in Chicago are being undertaken as a result of the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA) enacted by the Illinois General Assembly this past fall. As authorized by the EIMA, ComEd will inject a total capital investment of $2.6 billion into the Illinois economy, creating 2,000 jobs across ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory at the peak of the program in 2014, about half of which directly benefit Chicago.

ComEd’s infrastructure modernization program will include $1.3 billion to upgrade its electric system by replacing thousands of miles of cable and thousands of poles, and upgrading substations and other equipment. The utility will spend another $1.3 billion to digitize the system, including installation of distribution automation devices that will re-route power around problem areas, smart meters for residential customers and utilization of additional smart grid technologies to improve service and provide customers with more tools to manage their electricity usage.