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 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

Car Electric Charging Station Fraud

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office: TWO EXECUTIVES INDICTED FOR SCHEMING TO DEFRAUD CHICAGO AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS OF GRANT FUNDS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES CHICAGO — Owners of a green tech startup company that … Continue reading

Oakwood Hills Energy Center Project Unveiled

Last week, McHenry County Blog revealed that the Village of Oakwood Hills has again been negotiating with those wishing to build a gas-fired electric generating plant. When such plants were first on the county news pages in the late 1990’s, … Continue reading

Oakwood Hills Again Negotiating for Gas-Powered Electric Generating Plant

Oakwood Hills is a residential village between Cary and Prairie Grove with about 2,000 people. There is no commercial district to provide sales taxes, so property taxes, state income tax and Motor Fuel Tax revenue sharing, plus vehicle stickers provide … 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

Electricity Aggregation (Bulk Buying) Looking Better and Better

In 2012, there were many referendums asking whether residents wanted to have their municipalities or McHenry County to buy electricity for them, rather than take the power directly from Commonwealth Edison. The article Electric Aggregation Referendum Results Decidedly Mixed explains … Continue reading

Freedom of Information Requests Reveal Peaker Plant Promoters Terminated Oakwood Hills Project in July

In early September, I was told that a gas-fired peaker plant was being considered in Oakwood Hills. That’s when I filed my first Freedom of Information request with Oakwood Hills asking for “all documents concerning any peaker plant that is … 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