Illinois Commerce Commission to probe natural gas prices

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Gas costs to get full ICC probe

January 10, 2001

BY TAMMY WILLIAMSON AND FRAN SPIELMAN STAFF REPORTERS

The Illinois Commerce Commission said it will launch a "full investigation" into why natural gas prices here climbed to budget-busting heights and whether gas companies have acted prudently on behalf of consumers.

Meanwhile, Chicago aldermen grilled Peoples Energy representatives in a marathon hearing on the energy crisis.

City officials were frustrated at being denied the opportunity they were seeking: to grill Peoples Energy Chairman Richard Terry. Terry, who reportedly was out of town, sent a company spokesperson, a gas supply manager and a consultant in his place.

Terry's absence was a marked contrast from the strategy of Commonwealth Edison Chairman John Rowe, who humbled himself before aldermen last year in a solicitous appearance before a City Council committee following ComEd's dismal summer performance and a disastrous string of power outages.

"The chairman or at least one of the presidents should have been here, particularly given the situation. The company seems a little clueless," said Environment Commissioner Bill Abolt.

Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th), chairman of the City Council's Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, vowed to reconvene the hearing until Terry agrees to appear.

Company spokesperson Desiree Rogers took Terry's place on the hot seat, and was immediately hammered about the long delay encountered by Chicagoans who have attempted to call Peoples Energy to question their skyrocketing gas bills.

"There's a kind of arrogance to your company that's hard to swallow," said Ald. Shirley Coleman (16th).

She advised Rogers to "have someone from your company call your company so you can see firsthand the problems that people face."

Peoples Energy has hired 48 new phone representatives since last summer, bringing the existing complement to 142, and plans to add 24 more customer service representatives this month, Rogers said.

Acknowledging "sporadic" telephone wait times as long as 20 minutes, Rogers said: "We know that we're not perfect here. We're not trying to pretend that we are. But, we want you to know about the efforts that are in place. . . . Our phone representatives have logged thousands of hours of overtime to contend with this issue."

Rogers again stressed that no one in Chicago will have their gas service shut off for non-payment until at least April 1, even if the temperature rises above freezing levels.

Separately, the ICC unanimously approved a plan to investigate prices and said it will speed up so-called prudence reviews of the 14 gas companies in Illinois to make sure they bought gas at the best available prices for consumers.

The annual review of gas purchasing practices in 2000 would normally be spread out over most of this year, with testimony and examination. Chairman Richard Mathias wants that to be "accelerated," though he did not specify how quickly that process might be completed.

The commission voted 5-0 to kick off the investigation into gas prices, following a request by Gov. Ryan last week. The investigation and the prudence reviews were characterized by Mathias as "separate but related."

The state investigation will include at least a couple of hearings attended by gas utility executives to explain pricing. After the hearings, commission experts would compile a report within two to four months examining gas prices.

If it was determined that a gas company acted imprudently, it could be required to refund money to ratepayers.

***

Help available for those struggling with heat bills

Low-income households needing help with rising home heating prices now have more places they can turn to. The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County announced Tuesday it was extending its hours for people to call to apply for state energy assistance.

Chicago residents can call (312) 456-4100, while those in Cook County suburbs can call (312) 795-8817. Operators are available from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The state also offers information by calling (800) 252-8643.

The organizations listed here also have information about energy-aid programs and can take applications for energy assistance.

CHICAGO

ACORN, 650 S. Clark St., (312) 939-7488.

Action Coalition of Englewood, 6001 S. Justine, (773) 471-0080.

Assistance & Outreach Center, 188 W. Randolph, (312) 345-8O03.

Assyrian National Council, 2450 W. Peterson, (773) 262-5589.

Austin Peoples Action Center, 5125 Chicago Ave., (773) 378-9544.

Bethesda Human Resources Ministry Inc., 4538 W. Fullerton St., (773) 252-5727.

Bethlehem Star MB Church, 9231 S. Cottage Grove, (773) 487-8441.

BRE-JAN Corp., 317 W. 95th St., (773) 568-4053.

Bridgeport Volunteer Center, 643 W. 31st St., (773) 254-3718.

Brock Social Services Organization, 11223 S. Halsted St., (773) 291-0500.

Cabrini Green Tenant Association, 984 N. Hudson, (312) 280-2298.

Cambodian Association of Illinois, 2831 W. Lawrence Ave., (773) 878-7090.

Casa Aztlan, 1831 S. Racine, (312) 666-5508.

Center for Seniors, 2645 W. Peterson, (773) 275-4989.

Central United Baptist Church, 8246 S. Cottage Grove, (773) 651-7688.

Centro Sin Fronteras, 1205 N. Milwaukee, (773) 772-8383.

Chicago South Community Development Corp., 12338 S. Halsted (708) 388-9268.

Chinese American Service League, 300 W. 24th Place, (312) 791-0418.

Chinese Mutual Aid Association, 1016 W. Argyle St., (773) 784-2900.

Ekklesia--Ministry of Help, 1346 N. Maplewood Ave., (773) 235-1278.

Emerson House--Chicago Commons Association, 645 N. Wood St., (312) 421-3551.

European American Association, 2827 W. Division St., (773) 342-5868.

Evening Star M.B. Church, 4235 S. Cottage Grove, (773) 536-9527.

Fernwood United Methodist Church, 10057 S. Wallace, (773) 445-7111.

Fifth City Chicago Reformulation Corp., 3350 W. Jackson, (773) 265-1900.

Filipino American Social Services, 4750 N. Sheridan, No. 117, (773) 728-0413.

Foster Park Community Council, 7920 S. Ashland, (773) 846-4457.

Good Counsel Center, 2700 W. 59th St., (773) 863-1179.

Greater Metropolitan MB Church, 5856 S. Wabash Ave., (773) 667-2205.

Greater Mount Hebron MB Church, 8000 S. Wood St., (773) 723-8083.

Healing Temple, 4941 W. Chicago Ave., (773) 626-9454.

Hegewisch Community Committee, 13303 S. Baltimore Ave., (773) 646-4488.

HOPE I, 4622 S. King Drive, (773) 624-4752.

HOPE II, 6907 S. Halsted, (773) 846-0883.

Howard Area Community Center, 7648 N. Paulina St., (773) 262-6622.

Iglesia San Lucas, 2914 W. North Ave., (773) 227-5747.

Imani Shalom, 447 W. 120th St., (773) 785-2330.

Korean American Community Services, 4300 N. California, (773) 583-5501.

Korean American Senior Center Inc., 5008-14 N. Kedzie Ave., (773) 478-8851.

Korean Self-Help Center, 4924 N. Pulaski, (773) 545-8348.

Labor Coalition on Public Utilities, 37 S. Ashland Ave., (312) 243-7172.

Leclaire Hearst/Hull House Association, 4439 S. Lacrosse, (773) 767-1709.

Lutheran Family Mission, 855 N. Monticello, (773) 235-7637.

MACEO, 1253-55 W. 63rd St., (773) 627-0001.

Marillac House, 212 S. Francisco, (773) 722-7440.

Metropolitan Asian Family Services, 7541 N. Western Ave., (773) 465-3105.

Midwest Asian American Center, 2540 W. Devon Ave., 2nd floor, (773) 262-8650.

Midwest Community Council, 301 N. Kedzie Ave., (773) 826-2244.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 2978 S. Wabash, (312) 225-0510.

Northwest Austin Council, 5730 W. Division, (773) 379-7822.

Northeast Austin Organization, 5057 W. North Ave., (773) 745-9106.

Northwestern University Settlement Association, 1400 W. Augusta Blvd., (773) 278-7471.

Onward Neighborhood House, 600 N. Leavitt St., (312) 666-6726.

Operation Brotherhood, 3745 W. Ogden Ave., (773) 522-0433.

Pakistan Federation, 4082 N. Broadway, (773) 506-9231.

People for Community Recovery, 13116 S. Ellis Ave., (773) 468-1645.

Peoples Church of the Harvest, 3570 W. Fifth Ave., (773) 533-6877.

Polish American Association, 3824 N. Cicero Ave., (773) 282-8206.

Professional Attributes Community Service, 10616 S. Torrence Ave., (773) 731-8977.

Project Freedom, 2314 E. 83rd St., (773) 375-8011.

Promotoras De Salud La Villa, 3047 W. Cermak Road, (773) 521-8826.

Puerto Ricans United in Action, 2734 W. Division St., (773) 489-6433.

Recipients for Progressive Welfare Reform, 2926 N. Washtenaw, (773) 588-9434.

Redeeming Church of Christ, 1411 E. 67th St., (773) 493-5414.

Rockwell Gardens LAC, 2515 W. Jackson, No. 105, (312) 791-8743.

St. Mark Social Care Program, 1048 N. Campbell, (773) 772-2271.

St. Sylvester, 2157 N. Humboldt Ave., (773) 235-3259.

SANAD, 3302 W. 63rd St., (773) 436-7989.

San Bofacio, 1332 N. Greenview, (773) 252-9098.

Search Out-Reach Programs, 614 E. 75th St., (773) 874-4300.

South Austin Coalition, 5071 W. Congress Parkway, (773) 287-4570.

South-East Asia Center, 1134 W. Ainslie, (773) 989-6927.

South West Senior Center, 6012 S. Archer, (773) 284-0428.

Spanish Action Committee of Chicago, 2452 W. Division St., (773) 292-1052.

Spanish Coalition for Housing, 2611 S. Lawndale, (773) 277-6440.

SSCC Job Locator Service, 2251 E. 73rd, (773) 731-3107.

Trinity Resurrection Church, 9046 S. Mackinaw, (773) 768-9645.

Ukrainian Social Services Bureau, 2355 W. Chicago Ave., (773) 235-2895.

United Puerto Ricans of Chicago, 2936 W. 71st St., (773) 436-1159.

Unity Parenting & Counseling Center, 10837 S. Western, Suite 2, (773) 445-3510.

Vernon Park Church of God, 8949 S. Stony Island, (773) 734-4504.

Victory Club (in Faith Center Church), 316 S. Spaulding, (773) 638-0966.

Vietnamese Association of Illinois, 5252 N. Broadway, 2nd Floor, (773) 728-3700.

Washington Park Community Development, 5531 S. King Dr., (773) 667-0464.

West Englewood United Organization, 1650 W. 62nd St., (773) 778-8854.

With Sincerity Inc., 6200 S. Drexel Blvd., (773) 493-3659.

Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors, 6450 S. Stony Island, (773) 288-3000.

Westside Holistic Family Services, 4909 W. Division, No. LL08, (773) 921-8777.

SUBURBS

Barrington Township, 602 S. Hough St., Barrington, (847) 381-5632.

Berwyn-Cicero Council on Aging, 5817 W. Cermak Road, Cicero, (708) 863-3552.

Bloom-Rich Community Development Association, 1647 Cottage Grove, Ford Heights, (708) 758-2510.

Bloom-Rich Community Development Association, 1203 W. End Ave., Chicago Heights, (708) 754-4575.

CEDA Near West, 5142 W. 25th St., Cicero, (708) 222-3824.

CEDA Northwest Self-Help Center, 1300 W. Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect, (847) 392-2332.

Hanover Township, 8 N. 180 Route 59, Bartlett, (630) 837-0301.

Harvey Area Community Service Center, 53 E. 154th St., Harvey, (708) 339-3610.

Leyden Family Service Senior Citizens Program, 10009 W. Grand Ave., Franklin Park, (847) 451-0330.

Maine Township, 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge, (847) 297-2510.

Neighbors at Work, 1229 Emerson St., Evanston, (847) 328-5166.

North Shore Senior Center, 7 Happ Road, Northfield, (847) 446-8750.

Oak Park Township Senior Center, 418 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, (708) 383-8060.

Palatine Township, 721 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, (847) 358-6700.

Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council, 505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, (847) 991-1112.

PLOWS Council on Aging, 7808 College Drive, Palos Heights, (708) 361-0219.

Proviso Council on Aging, 430 Bohland Ave., Bellwood, (708) 547-5600.

Proviso Leyden Council For Community Action, 1108 W. Madison St., Maywood, (708) 450-3500.

Reach Out, 13123 S. Western, Blue Island, (708) 389-4029.

Schaumburg Township, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, (847) 884-0030.

Senior Assistance Center, 7774 W. Irving Park, Norridge, (708) 456-7979.

Stickney Township Office on Aging, 5636 State Road, Burbank, (708) 424-9200.

Southeast Human Development Center, 3518 W. 139th St., Robbins, (708) 371-1522.

Southwest Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange, (708) 354-1323.

Southwest Development Association, 5818 S. Archer, Summit, (708) 458-2736.

***

Bill will help more low-income families pay heat bills

BY DAVE MCKINNEY AND JAMES FULLER SUN-TIMES SPRINGFIELD BUREAU

SPRINGFIELD--More than 142,000 additional impoverished Illinois families could qualify for grants averaging $439 this winter after lawmakers Tuesday expanded a special heating-assistance program.

The proposal sailed out of the House to Gov. Ryan's desk despite worries from some legislators that the plan does nothing to help most homeowners contend with triple-digit increases in their heating bills.

"This does very little, probably nothing, for middle-class working families who also need some relief from historic high heating bill prices," said Rep. William Black (R-Danville), whose own plan for an across-the-board cut in state taxes on natural gas failed.

The plan lawmakers opted for instead opens up the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program by raising eligibility standards from 125 percent of the federal poverty level to 150 percent of that threshold.

That means a family of four with a monthly income of $2,130 or less, for example, can qualify for the program, compared with $1,776 under current guidelines. That means an estimated 350,000 households could be served by the program.

The size of a grant depends on a person's income, though the maximum amount under any circumstances would be $988. The average grant is $439, and those funds are paid directly by the state to utility companies.

Ryan, who intends to sign the legislation, hailed the initiative as "an important step to making sure the working poor and senior citizens can receive heating assistance this winter."

The expansion is being funded by a $65 million increase in funding from the federal government that the state administers.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats opened a new front in the battle over soaring natural gas prices by calling for federal and state investigations into whether natural gas prices have been illegally manipulated by gas companies.

"We want to know if there is collusion," said Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who asked U.S. Attorney Scott Lassar and Attorney General Jim Ryan to probe the matter. "We need to know that because consumers are being hit."

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/icc10.html



-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), January 10, 2001


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