Jan. 14--A decision on whether to hike home heating bills will be delayed until Gov. Bruce Rauner names two new members to the Illinois Commerce Commission, including its chairman.
The announcement came Wednesday morning at a meeting in which the Commission was expected to consider a rate hike proposal from Integrys, the parent company of Peoples Gas and NorthShore Gas.
The proposal calls for raising Peoples Gas bills by about $5 a month and North Shore Gas bills by about $2.50 a month. As part of those hikes, the fixed amount consumers would be charged each month would be raised significantly, which has resulted in objections from consumer groups and the state attorney general's office.
Rauner has not said whom he would name to the regulatory body which has five members.
The terms of chairman Doug Scott and John Colgan end Jan. 20, which is before the Commission's next regular meeting. They were appointed by former Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat. Rauner, a Republican, was sworn in Monday.
Scott, appointed in 2011, is a former director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and served as mayor of Rockford.
Colgan, who has served more than five years on the Commission, has more than 30 years experience in community organizing and was the founding executive director of the Illinois Hunger Coalition.
As Tribune previously reported, Integrys is asking the commission to shift more of the utilities' costs to a portion of the bill that is fixed and doesn't change regardless of whether consumers are more energy efficient.
Peoples' $27 fee, already the second-highest of any utility in the Midwest, could jump 43 percent to $38.50 a month if the rate hike is approved. That charge already has risen 199 percent since 2007.
North Shore Gas customers, who pay a fixed monthly charge of $23.75, would see the fee increased to $29.55, a 24 percent boost, under the proposed hike.
jwernau@tribpub.com
Twitter @littlewern
