Revamped Utility Rate Hikes Bill Still Wrong Deal For Consumers

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May 12, 2011, 12:42 ET

Legislation is the Wrong Bill at the Worst Time

Statement from AARP Illinois Senior State Director Bob Gallo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Revamping House Bill 14 will not improve the legislation, nor sweeten the deal for consumers."

"In spite of changes in the way in which rate cases would be brought before the Illinois Commerce Commission, the most troubling aspects of the bill are still in place: locking in rate hikes for Illinois consumers for a number of years; and giving electric and natural gas companies higher profits. Consumers would be on the losing end, for a long time, if this bill passes the Legislature."

"Just the fact that utility companies have worked on a revamp of this bill should be enlightening enough for consumers that it was bad legislation to begin with. The changes are no more than cosmetic, aimed at deflecting some of the public pressure brought on utility companies by a number of elected leaders, including Governor Pat Quinn and Attorney General Lisa Madigan, as well as consumer advocacy organizations."

"Utility companies across Illinois are desperate to get even higher rates – whether through legislation or through their other rate cases now pending before the ICC."

"House Bill 14 will be particularly damaging to older Illinoisans, families and businesses still struggling under the impact of the prolonged recession. On behalf of our 1.7 million Illinois members, AARP will continue opposing the legislation and asking consumers to call, toll free, 1-800-719-3020 and urge their lawmakers to vote against it."

SOURCE AARP Illinois