Chicago-area electricity and gas suppliers are among national leaders in cutting off customers for nonpayment, with the situation a sign of “utility corruption” in Illinois, according to a report issued Monday by three groups critical of the fossil fuel industry.
-area electricity and gas suppliers are among national leaders in cutting off customers for nonpayment, with the situation a sign of "utility corruption" in Illinois, according to a report issued Monday by three groups critical of the fossil fuel industry.
In Illinois during 2021, utilities agreed to a ban on shutoffs through March 31 because of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many other states also limited shutoffs that year. ComEd was singled out for criticism, with the groups putting it in its "Hall of Shame" for increasing disconnections even as it campaigned for and won rate increases. The utility, a division of Exelon Corp., has paid a $200 million fine to settle charges connected with a corruption case involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Dominguez also issued a statement questioning the credibility of the Energy and Policy Institute. The organization does not disclose its sources of funding, saying only that it is backed by foundations that support environmental causes. Last year, ComEd got regulatory approval for a $199 million rate increase. The ICC approved the increase three months after ordering the utility to refund $38 million to consumers for its part in the alleged bribery scheme.
Authors of the shutoff report noted limitations in its data. They said 20 states don’t disclose statistics for shutoffs due to nonpayment, a group that as of late 2021 includes Florida. They said the lack of transparency hides the extent of the problem.
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