Showing public opposition to the Peoples Gas rate hike

Since Peoples Gas filed its record breaking rate hike request in January, we have been calling on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to decrease the rate hike and restore accountability to the failing Peoples Gas pipe replacement program. With the deadline for the final decision quickly approaching, we organized a huge crowd to attend a recent ICC meeting, urging the Commissioners to use their authority to rein in Peoples Gas’ wasteful spending and protect Chicagoans from inflated gas prices. 

Along with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, we filled the ICC meeting room and overflow room, donning t-shirts that stated “Chicagoans Deserve Clean and Affordable Heat.” We gathered to express our frustration with Peoples Gas’ continual profit seeking, mismanaged infrastructure spending, and rate hikes.

I was one of five coalition members that delivered public comments on the affordability, heath, and environmental issues the rate hike would exacerbate. Before the ICC, I explained how Peoples Gas mismanaged pipe replacement program is failing to reduce safety risks and causing affordability issues. The cost and timeline of this project has increased dramatically while being “a primary driver of the record rate hike request and of 6 consecutive years of record profits for Peoples Gas.”

Photo by ICJC | Used by permission

ICC Chairman Doug Scott said that the ICC is expecting to vote on the Peoples Gas rate case on November 16th. 

Until the vote occurs, there are more opportunities for action. The Chicago Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy will hold a hearing on the record rate hike proposed by Peoples Gas and the subsequent impact on Chicagoans.