Com Ed Seeking Still Another Rate Increase

From Crain’s Chicago Business: With smart grid completed, ComEd budgets as if it never happened A new four-year capital plan shows ComEd spending even more per year than it did on its smart grid. That means higher rates, but this … Continue reading

Getting the Cheapest Electric Rate

Before we went on vacation, my Village of Lakewood sent out the press release below. I just got around to acting on it. The points out that Commonwealth Edison, our most avaricious utility–always asking the Illinois General Assembly to raise … Continue reading

Jack Franks Still Running for State Rep. – Part 29

If I were running against Jack Franks, I would be knocking on doors of homes with Com Ed electric lines in front of them. Why? Because Jack Franks introduced House Bill 3884, a bill to allow Com Ed to chop down … Continue reading

Jack Franks Still Running for State Rep. – Part 24

Maybe we should hope that State Rep. Jack Franks will file a Statement of Withdrawal and just run for the McHenry County Board Chairmanship. (But, Franks hasn’t pulled out of the race.  Or has Jack Franks finally filed a Withdrawal … Continue reading

Electricity Bulk Buyers To Pay 7.2 Cents per Kilowatt Hour for Next Year, Up 54% from Current 4.169 Cents

A press release concerning future electricity costs for most of those in McHenry County whose municipalities are buying it in bulk (think “aggregation”), which are going up almost 54% from 4.169 to 7.2 cents per kilowatt hour: NIGEAC ELECTRIC AGGREGATION … Continue reading

When Your Electric Bill Goes Up, Who’re Gonna Thank?

It won’t be Ghostbusters. The Senate roll call of override of Governor Pat Quinn’s Senate Bill 9. which overrides an Illinois Commerce Commission decision,  is below: Besides two of three State Senators representing McHenry County–Pam Althoff and Karen McConnaughay–potential candidates … Continue reading

Quinn Vetoes Com Ed Rate Increase Bill, Veto Override Attempt Likely, Considering Lopsided Roll Calls

The two roll calls on the Com Ed/Ameren electric rate hike bill have appeared here before. Some might wonder why I feel so strongly about this legislation that will ad $6 a month to most homeowners’ electric bills. The reason … Continue reading

Erin Smith Sees Threat to Electric Aggregation Savings from ICC Regulation

The final part of Lakewood Village President Ern Smith’s winter newsletter follows: Electrical Aggregation In the spring of 2012, our residents approved a referendum [results for all such referendums at link] by the widest margin in McHenry County to implement … Continue reading

Nasty Trees Take Out Coventry Power Near McHenry Avenue

Got this from the Crystal Lake Police: “A power outage has occurred in the area of Dartmoor and McHenry due to downed trees. “Comed is on scene working to address the problem as we speak. They estimate power restoration at … Continue reading

Electric Aggregation Consortium Agrees on 46% Reduction from Current Rates

A press release from the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium and the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium: Direct Energy Offers Fixed Electricity Price to Five Communities in the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium Illinois (April 30-, 2012) … Continue reading

Bulk Buy of Electricity May Save Big Money for Residents of Cary, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Lakewood, Prairie Grove, Ringwood, Woodstock

I missed the biggest news of Tuesday night. It wasn’t the Grafton Township Electors voting to ratify the deal that the Township Trustees cut with Road Commissioner Jack Freund for the Town Fund to repay the loan taken out to … Continue reading

“Barrington Hills Observer” Offers Reasons for Electric Aggregation Referendum Failure

A local blog called “The Barrington Hills Observer” offers a suggestion as to why the electric aggregation referendum failed in Barrington Hills. Deepening the mystery are favorable referendum results in the neighboring villages of Barrington and South Barrington. “Why did … Continue reading