ComEd annual diversity report shows inclusive practices, proactive spending keeps reliability high and costs low
With the release of its 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report, ComEd of Illinois showcased improved diversity at every level of its corporate ladder, coupled with record spending on diverse suppliers, investments in infrastructure and gains in reliability that are already impacting historically under-resourced communities.
To date, the company works with more than 600 diversity-certified suppliers and keeps 6,300 employees on staff to support approximately 9 million customers throughout northern Illinois. Spending on diverse suppliers reached $963 million last year – about 43 percent of ComEd’s total spending with diversity-certified businesses. At the same time, it managed to take on a workforce with 51 percent diversity, when factoring in both women and people of color on staff.
For those driving for ever more inclusive workplaces nationwide, it also provided a solid proof of concept, given that amidst this, ComEd also maintained record reliability and kept its average monthly residential power bills among some of the lowest nationwide.
“Creating an equitable and inclusive workplace means diversity is not only supported, it’s celebrated,” Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd, said. “Our DEI commitment goes beyond the 6,300 dedicated professionals who work at ComEd — it guides the way we work with and invest in communities. As we make plans to bring cleaner energy choices to customers, we need to ensure all customers in all communities have equitable access to these opportunities, while continuing to focus on our ultimate duty of delivering reliable and affordable energy.”
The effects are being seen locally. According to the report, 55 percent of all capacity expansion projects and 48 percent of all system performance investments through 2024 will benefit under-resourced communities. The company intends to continue investing in grid modernization in these areas and abroad, while preparing for additional demands from clean energy technology.
