{"id":40000,"date":"2024-04-17T11:54:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T16:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/?p=40000"},"modified":"2024-05-14T15:11:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T20:11:38","slug":"casework-roundup-a-report-from-cubs-general-counsel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/04\/17\/casework-roundup-a-report-from-cubs-general-counsel\/","title":{"rendered":"Casework Roundup: A report from CUB’s General Counsel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"EricBy Eric DeBellis
\nCUB General Counsel <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As usual, we’re busy juggling a heavy caseload before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) concerning the state’s biggest utilities: ComEd, Ameren, Peoples Gas, Illinois American and Aqua Illinois. Here’s a summary of where we’re at:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric Cases<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background:<\/strong> Back in December, the ICC slashed the ComEd and Ameren Illinois rate-hike requests by 65 percent and 87 percent, respectively. The ICC also rejected the companies’ grid plans, for failing to prove that they would be cost-effective and affordable, as required by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), groundbreaking state energy legislation CUB supports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest:<\/strong> Both utilities filed petitions challenging the ICC’s December rulings and trying to claw back some of the rate-hike requests they were denied. Big thanks to the Illinois consumers who contributed more than 780 signatures against higher ComEd and Ameren rates. Those cases will be decided in May, and CUB hopes the companies don\u2019t get unfair rate hikes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In mid-March, the two companies re-filed their grid plans, after months of back and forth between the utilities and other parties to the case, including CUB. We’re now reading through hundreds of pages of those grid plans, and we plan to file testimony in May, pushing back on unnecessary spending proposed by the utilities. The ICC will rule on the grid plans by the end of the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What you can do?<\/strong> Please sign a new CUB petition<\/a><\/strong> urging the ICC to hold the utilities’ accountable to the CEJA requirement that they file responsible grid plans that are affordable and benefit consumers more than they cost them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Gas Cases<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background:<\/strong> On Nov. 16, Peoples Gas received a state-record increase, but the total was about $100 million less than what the company wanted. Plus, the company\u2019s pipeline-replacement project (System Modernization Program), which has helped spark a heating-affordability crisis in Chicago, was paused for regulators to investigate whether it was being properly managed. Other major utilities–Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas and North Shore Gas–received rate hikes also on Nov. 16, but they too received less than they wanted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest:<\/strong> The gas companies filed petitions for rehearing, but the ICC rejected all of them except Peoples Gas. In that case, Peoples was granted a rehearing on a narrow set of issues, which could lead to $7.9 million being added to the company’s record rate hike. Consumer advocates are urging the ICC to reject Peoples Gas’ request. An ICC judge sided with the utility and recommended higher rates, but the ICC is expected to make a final ruling at the end of May.<\/span><\/p>\n

In related news:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n