Chicago is My Home

17
Apr

Village of Deerfield in Suburban Chicago Files Class-Action ComEd Lawsuit

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Utilities

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Claiming unfulfilled services and broken promises, the Village of Deerfield in suburban Chicago on Thursday filed a class-action lawsuit against local energy provider Commonwealth Edison (ComEd).

According to ComEd, only 13 percent of the 1,377 outages in Deerfield between 2000 and 2007 were related to weather. Deerfield mayor Steve Harris says the utility has repeatedly failed to provide the residents of Deerfield with satisfactory service.

“After years of patience while listening to ComEd’s unfulfilled promises to fix these problems, we now town to the courts to adjudicate our claims,” Harris said in a Thursday statement. “ComEd has given us no other option than to seek a legal remedy to its gross and willful dereliction of duty.”

By Megan O’Neil

10
Apr

Chicago ComEd Opponents Speak Out on Wednesday Against Rate Increases

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Utilities

CHICAGO – While ComEd wants Chicago utility consumers to reach further into their pockets for more cash, consumer advocacy groups question the need for more rate increases.

The electric service provider has proposed that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) grant a $361.3 million delivery rate increase that would amount to bills increasing 8 percent. For the average consumer, this is about $6 more on a $75 monthly bill.

ComEd, which is owned by Chicago-based Exelon Corp., is asking for consumers to endure two additional surcharges – also called riders – which are additional costs to consumers apart from the amount of electricity used. ComEd says the surcharges are necessary to cover costs from storm damage and maintenance.

ComEd says the surcharge is also needed because the company is seeing marginal return on profit. Opponents spoke out in Chicago against a rate increase on Wednesday evening at the first scheduled ICC public hearing.

“ComEd is profitable enough without raising costs again,” said AARP executive council member George O’Hare in Chicago. “They are balancing their corporate checkbook on the backs of Illinois consumers.”

By Stephanie Huls

19
Oct

ComEd in Chicago Pushes For 8 Percent Hike; Would Be Second in 2007

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology, Utilities

CHICAGO – ComEd announced on Wednesday that it plans to increase customer rates by nearly 8 percent to help fund a lagging infrastructure and to adjust for fast-growing collar counties. According to estimates, this could raise monthly bills $6 for every $75 in charges.

ComEd is asking for $361 million from the Illinois Commerce Commission to cover distribution charges. This would be the second fare hike imposed in 2007 as utility consumer bills jumped by at least 24 percent in Jan. 2007.

Continue reading this article on MidwestBusiness.com by Stephanie Huls…