Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn made good last week on his promise to veto “smart grid” legislation that would have led to a decade of energy rate increases for consumers.

The smart grid system would allow for installation of “smart meters” that would gauge energy use by measuring its consumption several times a second. The meters would communicate their readings to the power grid, allowing companies to increase or decrease power generation accordingly.

The upgrade would improve Illinois’ environment, business climate, and reduce the long-term burden on the state’s power consumers, who would save 10 percent on their bills in the first year and 15 percent the second year, according to ComEd.