Showing support to reform the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program

For years, Illinois PIRG has called for utility regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to reform the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program. Last year, the Commission heard our call, ordered an investigation into the program, and paused the program while the investigation proceeded. That investigation is drawing to a close, and with a draft decision due in a couple weeks, we showed up to this week’s ICC meeting to show public support for reform. 

Three people, including student Aria Brown who worked in our citizen outreach office this summer, delivered public comments at this meeting. Commenters referenced the recent report by the Citizens Utility Board which found that, without reform, Peoples Gas will spend another $12.8 billion on the program, causing customer bills to double by 2040. Our comments were covered by Capitol News Illinois. 

Illinois canvasser Aria Brown addresses the Illinois Commerce CommissionPhoto by Staff | TPIN

A proposed order on the investigation will be released on November 25th, after which the stakeholders in the investigation will have a chance to submit briefs reacting to the order. The ICC will vote on a final decision on the case in January.

Until that vote, there is still the opportunity for Chicagoans to make their voices heard. Instead of spending billions of dollars on a failing program that locks us into burning polluting fossil fuels far into the future, we can make Peoples Gas address pressing safety risks, keep our gas bills manageable, and start taking meaningful action to transition to clean energy homes