Heating your home or cooking your dinner could get more expensive next year, under a rate increase Peoples Gas has asked state regulators to approve.
The utility on Monday formally asked the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve a $200 million increase in natural gas rates.
Spokesperson David Schwartz said the money will pay for the replacement of more than 1,000 miles of old cast-iron gas pipelines, which he described as being at the end of their useful life.
"This work is critical to ensure ongoing safety and reliability in the heating system, especially during extreme cold snaps like we've seen this winter," Schwartz told WBBM Newsradio.
Schwartz said the rate increase would mean an extra $10-11 a month for the "average" residential natural gas customer.
"Chicago home heating bills are currently lower than other major U-S cities," he said. "That's expected to continue with these rates if they're approved."
That's small consolation for Jim Chilsen from the Citizens Utility Board. He said the consumer advocacy organization is studying the proposal now, but plans to oppose it.
"Just a few years after receiving the largest gas rate hike in Illinois history, the utility is back at the table asking for more," Chilsen said. "This rate hike is about increasing profits for Peoples Gas."
Regulators are going over the request now.