Peoples Gas pipe replacement program behind schedule for 23rd consecutive quarter
The program was also over budget once again
State Director, Illinois PIRG; Energy and Utilities Program Director, PIRG
Started on staff: 2002
B.A., Haverford College
Abe Scarr is the director of Illinois PIRG and is the PIRG Energy and Utilities Program Director. He is a lead advocate in the Illinois Capitol and in the media for stronger consumer protections, utility accountability, and good government. In 2017, Abe led a coalition to pass legislation to implement automatic voter registration in Illinois, winning unanimous support in the Illinois General Assembly for the bill. He has co-authored multiple in-depth reports on Illinois utility policy and leads coalition campaigns to reform the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program. As PIRG’s Energy and Utilities Program Director, Abe supports PIRG energy and utility campaigns across the country and leads the national Gas Stoves coalition. He also serves as a board member for the Consumer Federation of America. Abe lives in Chicago, where he enjoys biking, cooking and tending his garden.
The program was also over budget once again
Peoples Gas mismanaged pipe replacement program is a primary driver behind the record rate hike request. This program is behind schedule, over budget, and is not reducing safety risks.
Instead of chasing expensive, speculative technology, Illinois should focus on proven clean energy solutions.
Members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) on Thursday flooded an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) meeting and later held a rally outside City Hall to call for cheaper, cleaner ways to heat Chicago homes.
In a draft decision released Friday, an administrative law judge granted Peoples Gas a $350 million rate increase, more than $100 million greater than the largest Illinois gas utility rate hike ever before granted.