By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Some interest groups are calling out the big utilities – and are tired of paying for what they say are unneeded projects.
State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) joined the Public Interest Research Group, Citizens Utility Board, AARP and others for a Capitol news conference Tuesday, and said he just wants to start the conversation.
“No one here is suggesting that we compromise the safety of our infrastructure,” Villivalam said. “No one here is suggesting that we need to look at the types of jobs that are being worked on here. We want people to be able to do this work, and we want this work to be done. How it’s done and at what rates and at what expense of our consumers – that’s the question we’re trying to address.”
The groups say Peoples Gas, Nicor, and Ameren are taking advantage of customers by charging for well beyond the projects for which they initially issued a surcharge.”
Villivalam is sponsoring a bill whose House sponsor is State Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee). “Our legislation is simple,” said Mason. “It will not end gas utility infrastructure and investment; it will restore accountability. The legislatively granted surcharge is already set to expire at the end of 2023. Our legislation will end it at the end of 2020.”
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].
