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No big surprises here. The Chicago Tribune reports today that CORE (Consumers Organized for Reliable Electricity) has received $10 million from ComEd since 2005 to finance its TV, radio, newspaper and blog campaign against any attempt to extend the decade-long electric utility rate freeze. ComEd is CORE’s chief financial backer.
The Tribune also looked at how some of CORE’s higher profile members are connected to ComEd and Exelon.
Phillip Jackson, the executive director of the Black Star Project, which works to eliminate racial gaps in academic achievement, is listed in the ad. Not listed is the fact that ComEd is a financial sponsor of Black Star. […]
Juan Rangel, the head of the United Neighborhood Organization, known as UNO, is also a member of CORE. Exelon is a financial sponsor of UNO. Rangel did not return telephone calls about the matter.
The ads also list Deborah Sawyer, the head of Environmental Design International, as a member of CORE. Sawyer acknowledged that her firm had done work for ComEd but said the amount was negligible and had nothing to do with her opposition to further rate freezes.
ComEd or Exelon are also members of CORE participants including the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and World Business Chicago.
CORE’s complete list of advisory committee members can be found here.
Meanwhile, Chicago Defender columnist Lee Walker, who runs the New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, has a piece today entitled “House Speaker Madigan is a two-bit obstructionist when it comes to ComEd, rate hike.” Walker is a frequent commenter on the rate freeze issue.
The Black community will benefit if electric rates are allowed to rise because it will show businesses that politicians in Springfield keep their regulatory promises, and because the higher rates will finance new investment in electricity infrastructure that will mean more jobs and higher wages for black families.
Ultimately, the black community’s interest in economic growth should trump other concerns, because without more jobs and rising wages, blacks will always be vulnerable to such things as small hikes in electricity rates.
Com Ed has been a generous benefactor to many Black institutions and black elected officials. It has been a good corporate citizen and it is only fair they be given a fair hearing from the community in return.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 11:31 am
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Not to mention that Excelon (I believe parent company of ComEd) has given $50K for the Gov’s inaugural soiree…
Comment by Siyotanka Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 1:28 pm
How is this different than any of they myriad of AT&T front groups that have popped up over the years?
Comment by Anon from BB Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 1:36 pm
Here’s the flaw with Lee Walker’s contention that the rate hike will finance new investment in electrical infrastructure.
ComEd’s argument all along is that it’s not making money on this deal, that it’s merely a pass through. They had to go out and buy power at a new, higher rate so they have to be able to pass those rates on to customers otherwise they risk going out of business if lawmakers force them to operate at a loss. They’ve repeatedly said in several hearings that this is in no way a money maker, it just allows them to break even.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 1:57 pm
Actually, Michelle Flaherty’s contention is incorrect insofar as it fails to be taken to its logical conclusion. If ComEd is not allowed to charge the higher rates, they will lose (lots of) money on energy it sells, which will in turn lead to its bankruptcy, which will in turn result in degraded infrastructure and decreased reliability.
Comment by Pingu Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 3:31 pm
ComEd has given a bunch of money to the Black political class. Most of these Blacks were already living comfortably upper-middle class lifestyles. The political Blacks are merely rationalizing taking the bribe to sellout regular folk.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 4:34 pm
ComEd had deep enough pockets to give $10 million to a front group — and yet it absolutely, positively needs a rate hike? Yeah right.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 5:20 pm
A few years late, aren’t they (the Trib)?
And will the Chicago TV stations be covering this too, in light of all the money they took for those ads?
Carl Nyberg, Norseman, etc hit the nail on the head…
(PS — Anon from BB, one of the latest “AT&T front groups” is up and running right now promoting ‘TV options for Illinois, just like Indiana has’ … it’s a ploy to snip net neutrality on a state level.)
Comment by NW burbs Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 5:34 pm
ComEd and Ameren just don’t get it, do they. People will pay higher rates but will scream bloody murder if 1. they get socked with huge increases and no way out; 2. they see the company buying everything within its reach and then crying poor-mouth and 3. the CEOs still get to live like sultans with golden parachutes when we all know it’s the rank and file who come up with ideas and keep the infrastructure and grid running. And if those same CEOs refuse to admit they are making a killing just on their good looks and ability to run a meeting and be interviewed and try to keep their enormous salaries a secret, they’re asking for the opposition they are getting. The only person worth the kind of salaries paid to the top brass of ANY corporation is the guy who has the cure for cancer.
Comment by Disgusted Friday, Jan 5, 07 @ 7:48 pm
When you say ComEd, I assume that you’re talking about Exelon and it’s many subsidiaries. As far as I am concerned, the Attorney General should initiate proceedings to revoke the permission of this foreign corporation to operate in the State of Illinois. When they’re not dumping diesel fuel into a local water supply, they’re dumping radioactive tritium into our rivers.
Comment by Squideshi Sunday, Jan 7, 07 @ 12:35 pm