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"A 55 percent rate increase for electricity would be devastating
for working families and the senior citizens of Illinois," Mitchell
said. "That is why I voted today to pass a bill through committee to
extend the rate freeze on electric rates for consumers until the end
of 2010."
Mitchell, a member of the House Electric Oversight Committee,
said that the proposed rate increase would also hurt area
businesses.
"If the General Assembly does not extend the electric rate
freeze, area businesses could expect a rate hike of over 100
percent," he said. "Businesses in Decatur, Clinton, Pekin,
Taylorville, Illiopolis and Lincoln have all contacted me saying a
100 percent electric rate increase would result in layoffs at their
plants. Central Illinois cannot afford another hit to our economy."
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 The General Assembly adopted the Electric Service Customer Choice
and Rate Relief Law of 1997, which deregulated the electric industry
and froze rates for residential customers. The legislation has not
resulted in a competitive retail market for residential or small
commercial consumers, and the rate freeze is set to expire Dec. 31.
"I am hopeful that we can get this extension passed into law
until a compromise can be reached that will protect consumers and
would result in real competition taking place," Mitchell said.
[News release from
Rep. Bill Mitchell] |
