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Say NO to Automatic Electric and Natural Gas Rate Increases!
Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Illinois utility companies are pushing for radical changes that put automatic utility rate hikes into state law. Here’s the TRUTH about the legislation: TRUTH – The bill would eviscerate consumer protection by eliminating traditional rate case reviews and mandating an automatic annual rate increase for all utility expenditures. TRUTH – It would allow ComEd, Ameren, Peoples/North Shore Gas, and Nicor Gas to decide what “modernization” means - allowing utility companies to raise rates to pay for technology investments without regulatory or public review of costs or benefits. TRUTH – It would put Illinois in the unique position of eliminating the ICC’s obligation and duty to balance the interests of consumers with that of utility companies. TRUTH – Their promised investments are not significant over a 5-10 year period, are not clearly identified, have no enforceable performance standards, and no penalties for noncompliance. AARP strongly opposes HB 14 the “Automatic Electric and Natural Gas Rate Increase” bill. Illinois consumers and businesses simply cannot afford guaranteed profits for utility companies and the elimination of long standing and proven regulatory policies! HB14 - The wrong bill at the worst time.
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Building a 21st Century Electric Grid Requires a 21st Century Regulatory System
Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 - Posted by Advertising Department [The following is a paid advertisement.] Most agree that Illinois needs to modernize its electric grid to meet the demands of the digital age. Forty-four states ─ and even Guam ─ have some type of Smart Grid investment program in process. But Illinois is stalled. To stay economically competitive, we must catch up. But grid modernization in Illinois is stalled by an outmoded regulatory process that discourages exactly the kind of long-term, comprehensive planning that’s needed to get modernization done. The Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (HB 14) proposes a better system for setting utility rates. It provides even more transparency and accountability than current regulation with more frequent regulatory review and new performance metrics to keep utilities accountable. Some have suggested that modifying regulatory oversight is synonymous with reducing regulatory oversight. That’s simply not true. HB14 is not about less regulation it’s about smarter regulation. Every resident and business in Illinois will benefit if lawmakers, regulators, utilities and consumer groups can come together over the next few weeks to develop a policy path that drives modernization of our grid, while protecting consumers as strongly as ever.
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