Mike Tryon’s Electric Industry Contributions

Previously, McHenry County Blog has reported on the contributions from Commonwealth Edison, Ameren and others to State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Jack Franks. Both voted to override Governor Pat Quinn’s veto, Franks a last minute switch. State Senator … Continue reading

2011 Campaign Contributions from Those Interested in Allowing Com Ed & Ameren to Hike Electric Rates without ICC Approval

The Campaign for Political Reform has a spreadsheet that shows how much each state legislator has taken from companies like Commonwealth Edison, Ameren and other entities which it thinks has a stake in the so-called “Smart Grid” electricity rate hike … Continue reading

State Senator Dan Duffy Expresses Outrage at Electric Rate Hike Bill

State Senator Dan Duffy’s speech in opposition to the Com Ed/Ameren electric rate increase bill: Business side of bill: This “smart grid” technology does not prevent outages from Storms like we experienced in the recent past. It is not going … Continue reading

Smart Grid, aka, Com Ed Rate Hike Bill, Passes House without Debate, Roll Call

Each year for the next ten years, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren, its Downstate counterpart will be increasing our electric rates, compliments of State Senator Pam Althoff and State Representatives The State Senate voted to override Governor Pat Quinn’s veto this … Continue reading

Althoff Vote Makes the Difference in Passing Com Ed Rate Hike Bill, Roll Call

State Senator Pam Althoff provided the deciding vote in overriding Governor Pat Quinn’s veto of the Commonwealth Edison/Ameren electric rate increase bill. The veto override of the veto of Senate Bill 1652 passed by just one vote. That means every … Continue reading

Two of Three State Reps. Vote for Com Ed Rate Increase “Trailer” Bill, Roll Calls on HB 3036

Readers by now have figured out that I think Com Ed’s and Ameren’s electricity rate hike “Smart Grid” bill is dumb. Let me tell you why. The Illinois Commerce Commission has granted monopoly status to electric utilities. In return for … Continue reading

Commonwealth Ed Complaints in McHenry County

A letter dated Wednesday, August 3, 2011, to the Crystal Lake City Council from Paul Greenlee, who lives on Bennington Drive, expresses concerns Commonwealth Edison service failures in his neighborhood: Mayor Shepley and Members of the City Council: When I … Continue reading

McCullom Lake is Last in Com Ed Reliablity

McHenry County making the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times twice in one week. That’s probably a record since the tragic school bus-Metra train collision in Fox River Grove in the mid-1990’s. First we are treated to the Thursday revelation … Continue reading

Com Ed’s Infrastructure Financing and the Last Com Ed Scam

I don’t claim any expertise concerning electric utilities Commonwealth Edison’s and Ameren’s wanting customers to pay for upgrading its system. But, it does seem to me that getting the electricity to homes and businesses is part of the business of … Continue reading

Com Ed/Ameren Rate Hike Bill Passes House – Roll Call

Senate bill 1652, the legislation that Commonwealth Edison and Downstate electric utility Ameeen promotes as a “Smart Grid” bill, passed the Illinois House this Memorial Day 67-47-1. It previously passed the Senate, as you can see from the Senate roll … Continue reading

McHenry Blacktop Lumberjacks Target Canopy

Well, they’re not quite lumberjacks, but they’re as close as we come. If you haven’t driven on the road between Crystal Lake and McHenry, you are going to find it a lot more light next time around. The tree canopy … Continue reading

David Ulm’s Quest for Windmills – Part 1

Starting my quest to learn what’s up in windmill electrical generation was Carpentersville School District 300’s efforts in Hampshire. So far wind is not even making a dent in the territory served by Commonwealth Edison. “They don’t want us producing … Continue reading

David Ulm’s Quest for Windmills – Part 1

Starting my quest to learn what’s up in windmill electrical generation was Carpentersville School District 300’s efforts in Hampshire. So far wind is not even making a dent in the territory served by Commonwealth Edison. “They don’t want us producing … Continue reading