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The proposed order, submitted by two Illinois Commerce
Commission administrative law judges, reduced Aqua’s proposed
$19.2 million proposed rate hike by about 43%, to just under $11
million.
Aqua Illinois, which serves nearly 275,000 customers around
Illinois, asked for the rate hike in January, which would have
increased the average household water bill by about $30 a month.
Jim Chilsen, communications director with the Citizens Utility
Board, said the rate hike needs to be reduced further.
“This is a step in the right direction for Aqua customers who
have suffered a lot under high bills and poor service, but we
believe that the evidence submitted by consumer advocates calls
for an even greater reduction in the rate hike,” said Chilsen.
CUB officials said a major reason for the rising bills are state
laws that allow Aqua to hit customers with a "Qualifying
Infrastructure Plant" surcharge as well as employ an aggressive
strategy to buy up municipal systems. The Illinois General
Assembly in 2013 passed a law that allowed Aqua to buy up water
and wastewater systems across the state and charge their
customers to cover 100% of the acquisition costs.
Aqua customers who attended ICC public forums during the summer
complained of high water bills and poor water quality, with one
woman displaying a jar of cloudy brown water she said came from
her home.
Last May, the ICC voted unanimously to cut back Peoples Gas'
latest rate hike request, from nearly $8 million to $1.5
million.
The ICC is set to make a final ruling on the judge’s
recommendation regarding Aqua Illinois no later than Nov. 21.
“The ICC has a choice,” said Chilsen. “They can follow the
proposed order or they can adjust the rate hike up or down as
they see fit.” |
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