Letter to the Editor: On ‘People’s Gas’

Dear Editor,

When the heating bills increase in the winter, we often attribute its inflation to the colder weather. If Peoples Gas is allowed to continue investing into their Pipe Replacement Program, however, it’s likely rising costs will be solely for profit, rather than any consumer need.

Although the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered the gas utility to focus on pipes most at risk of leaking, Peoples Gas continues to push an expensive, inefficient plan to overhaul the entire system and double down on our dependency on natural gas. Cheaper, more sustainable non-pipeline alternatives exist – utilities should first consider these before unnecessarily hiking our rates.

State regulators must continue to serve as watchdogs and prevent our gas bills from becoming even less affordable. We can all help with this; you can call your alderperson today and ask them to demand transparency and reform with Peoples Gas’ pipe replacement program. You can also attend the non-pipeline alternatives workshop Dec. 10 from 12-1p.m. to help demonstrate to the ICC and Peoples Gas that we want safer, cleaner, cheaper energy now.

It’s unacceptable that while residential gas prices across the United States have been rapidly increasing, the gas prices paid by local utilities have been decreasing. We shouldn’t be paying for superfluous infrastructure costs, and our government should protect us from predatory monopolies. Peoples Gas is one of the worst offenders of this issue, and we must stand against this.

Sincerely,

Clare Morrissey