CUB’s Legislative Roundup
by Bryan McDaniel, Policy Analyst
by Bryan McDaniel, Policy Analyst
June 1, 2009—It was a marathon final weekend for Illinois’ Spring Legislative Session, ending with the General Assembly gridlocked over tax issues.
However, CUB helped pass a bill that will spark key reform at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and encourage strong energy-efficiency programs in the Land of Lincoln.
SB 1918, which awaits Gov. Quinn’s signature, would...
1. Stop ICC commissioners from leaping to lucrative utility-industry jobs for two years after they leave their posts;
2. Ban secret meetings between ICC members and utility companies gearing up for a rate hike. In the past, utilities used these “behind closed doors” meetings to advance their case for higher rates before it was even officially filed—to the detriment of consumers.
3. Create an “on-bill financing” program that would allow people to buy money-saving, energy- efficient appliances with no up-front payment. They then would pay off a low-interest loan on their utility bills;
4. Create a “natural gas portfolio standard” that would require gas utilities to make investments in energy efficiency and show results by reducing gas usage by 8.6 percent by 2020—or face fines. Consumer advocates argued that this would create billions of dollars in savings for utility customers.
2. Ban secret meetings between ICC members and utility companies gearing up for a rate hike. In the past, utilities used these “behind closed doors” meetings to advance their case for higher rates before it was even officially filed—to the detriment of consumers.
3. Create an “on-bill financing” program that would allow people to buy money-saving, energy- efficient appliances with no up-front payment. They then would pay off a low-interest loan on their utility bills;
4. Create a “natural gas portfolio standard” that would require gas utilities to make investments in energy efficiency and show results by reducing gas usage by 8.6 percent by 2020—or face fines. Consumer advocates argued that this would create billions of dollars in savings for utility customers.
Energy efficiency is the single best way to keep electricity and natural gas bills in check. If done right, SB 1918 can give a big boost to Illinois’ efforts to provide working families with a cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy future. CUB thanks Attorney General Lisa Madigan for pushing this money-saving measure, and the General Assembly for passing it.
CUB also helped another pro-consumer bill advance. SB 1421, which would help prevent a telephone scam called “cramming,” passed the Illinois House and advanced to the Senate, where it awaits consideration. Cramming is when customers get charged on their phone bills for services they didn’t order.
One of the sponsors of the bill, Rep. John Bradley, of Marion, launched a campaign to fight cramming when he himself became the victim of the scam.
SB 1421 could be considered by the Senate as early as the Fall Veto Session in November.
As always, CUB will be back in Springfield, fighting for consumers on this and other issues.