South Cook News

State Representative John Egofske has expressed strong opposition to the recently recommended natural gas rate increases that could impact over 4.1 million consumers in Illinois. These recommendations, put forth by administrative judges at the Illinois Commerce Commission, are currently under review, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.

If approved, the proposed rate increases would have a significant impact on the monthly bills of utility customers in Illinois. Several gas companies, including Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas, have requested rate hikes that could lead to higher costs for consumers, starting in January.

Nicor Gas, which serves 2.2 million customers in Illinois, has proposed an increase that could raise customer bills by approximately $9.28 per month. Similarly, Ameren customers can expect to see their bills rise by several dollars per month. However, Peoples Gas assures that customer bills will remain at similar levels to last winter, thanks to the falling price of natural gas.

These proposed rate increases have raised concerns among consumer and environmental advocates. Illinois PIRG, a consumer advocacy group, opposes the rate hikes and questions the responsible allocation of resources by utility companies. Abe Scarr, the director of PIRG, believes that modifications need to be made to ensure a more consumer-conscious and environmentally responsible approach.

Representative Egofske shares these concerns and emphasizes the potential financial burden on the residents of Illinois, especially given the current inflationary environment. He states, "As a state representative, I am deeply troubled by the implications of these recommended rate hikes. It is crucial that we carefully consider the financial burden that will be placed on the residents of Illinois, especially in light of recent inflation. I am committed to doing everything I can to protect the financial well-being of my constituents."

The rate case process, which has spanned 11 months, has seen different proposals for profit rates. The recommended profit rates, endorsed by the administrative judges overseeing the cases and generally accepted by the commission staff, have sparked controversy. These rates include a 9.89 percent return to shareholders for Nicor and Ameren, and a 9.83 percent return for Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. While these figures are lower than the companies' requested rates, they are higher than those proposed by consumer advocates.

Representative Egofske remains attentive to the ongoing deliberations of the commissioners as they consider these crucial issues.

In summary, State Representative John Egofske has voiced his strong opposition to the proposed natural gas rate increases, which could have a significant impact on over 4.1 million consumers in Illinois. Consumer and environmental advocates have also expressed concerns, urging for a more consumer-conscious and environmentally responsible approach. The final decision on these rate increases is expected by the end of the year.

Click this link to access more information: https://repegofske.com/2023/10/25/rep-egofske-voices-opposition-to-proposed-natural-gas-rate-increases/