CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Citizens Utility Board is calling out Commonwealth Edison for asking for a big electricity rate increase in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, said ComEd’s $51 million rate hike request comes as an unprecedented number of consumers are struggling to pay their utility bills.
"This is a really bad time. There is probably never a good time that I would say in the grand scheme of things, but this is maybe the worst possible time. At CUB we are going to be doing everything we can to look at this request and fight against any penny that can't be justified," he said.
But, can’t Commonwealth Edison argue that their costs are up because of COVID-19 and having to restore power after a number of severe winter storms? In fact, Kolata expects that argument.
"That's one of the things that we are going to be taking a hard look at. I do think that obviously this is a very, very bad time given the pandemic and utilities in our experience typically ask for more than they can justify. That's what we are going to be doing and we are going to be taking a hard look at it.
He’s hoping for a comprehensive energy reform that holds utilities like ComEd more accountable. That company must also pay compensation for the major bribery scheme that’s part of federal action against ComEd right now.
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