As Peoples Gas pulls in record profits and pushes for an unprecedented rate hike, the Chicago gas utility’s pipe-replacement program failed to hit its goals for the 22nd consecutive quarter, according to a report it submitted to state regulators this week. The program also ended the quarter over-budget, as it’s…...
Regulators say NO to Peoples, Nicor Gas
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered a $15.4 million refund for Peoples Gas customers and most recently a refund of more than $31 million for Nicor Gas customers, two votes that may signal a tougher stance towards utilities whose rampant spending has helped spark a heating-affordability crisis in Illinois.…...
CUB working to cut Peoples Gas hike by $100+ million
With Peoples Gas making record profits while customers struggle to afford their bills under the utility’s mismanaged pipeline-replacement program, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Thursday it is working to reduce the utility’s record rate-hike request by more than $100 million. CUB Executive Director David Kolata said the consumer group’s…...
Disturbing new Peoples Gas filings shine light on mismanagement, stonewalling in troubled pipeline program
New filings with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) reveal a disturbing pattern of mismanagement of the troubled Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program, with the company not answering basic questions about the program and admitting it hasn’t done an overall cost-analysis in nearly a decade. (Read the joint release from Illinois PIRG…...
‘I am not the gas utility’s ATM!’ CUB, consumer advocates rally outside Peoples Gas HQ to protest record rate hike
As Chicago struggles with a heating-affordability crisis and Peoples Gas rakes in five years of record profits, residents rallied outside the utility’s headquarters to slam the company’s record $402 million rate hike and urge state regulators and policymakers to hold the utility accountable. Waving signs like “I am not the…...
February continues trend of lower gas prices–but they’re still higher than 2021
Some good news: Gas prices for February continue the downward trend we’ve been seeing the last few months. Plus, recently the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the U.S. Energy Department, eased its prediction on how much more Midwest natural gas customers could pay on average this winter–from 29…...
January gas prices still way up–will we see some relief in 2023?
Natural gas supply prices dropped for about half of Illinois’ major gas utilities from December to January, but the prices are still at significantly high levels for the second consecutive winter. “We’re hoping that sometime in the new year we’ll see these price spikes ease for all customers, but the…...
