Business Wire·Nov 10, 2026, 11:51 AM ET

ComEd and Argonne National Laboratory Release Study Showing Severe Rainfall Events in Northern Illinois Could Nearly Double in Next 15 Years

ComEd & Argonne National Laboratory released a new study detailing climate risks for northern Illinois electric infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall events producing over two inches of precipitation are projected to nearly double by mid-century.
Annual precipitation across ComEd's service territory is expected to increase by an average of 14.7 percent.
Research highlights increased risks from heavier rainfall, ice storms, & changing soil conditions affecting grid resilience.
Heavier rain combined with dry periods may cause erosion around pole bases, tower footings, & strain on drainage systems.
More frequent severe ice events could stress electric equipment & increase tree damage risks to lines.
Increased soil moisture & warmer temperatures may impact underground cables, grounding systems, & heat dissipation.
The study provides localized insights for 2045-2054 to guide long-term planning, engineering standards, & asset management.
2026 marked ComEd's most severe storm season on record with 19 major storms, 59 tornadoes, & 2.4 million customer interruptions.
Previous grid modernization investments prevented an estimated 2.6 million additional customer interruptions during the 2026 season.
Earlier 2022 research projected northern Illinois climate conditions to resemble current Missouri conditions by 2045 due to rising temperatures.
Findings will inform ComEd's Multi-Year Integrated Grid Plan & future reliability investments while maintaining customer affordability.