The Illinois Commerce Commission voted unanimously today to approve the merger of Nicor Gas and AGL Resources as long as certain conditions are met as part of the reorganization.
Chief among those conditions are those that require base rates to remain fixed at current rates for three years following the closing of the reorganization, and that if there are savings as a result the merger, they will be flowed through natural gas rates to Illinois ratepayers.
Other conditions require the new company to maintain certain jobs, management personnel, training and quality assurance programs and pipeline safety program staff across the Nicor service area for three years and in some cases five years. Specifically, the order directs that the company maintain the same number of full-time equivalent employees and Illinois management personnel in the areas of corrosion control, technical compliance, locating services, transmission integrity management program and the distribution integrity management program for five years. The company also must to maintain the current level of training and quality assurance programs for compliance monitoring activities.
The Commission also adopted conditions that require the reorganized company to maintain economic development activity, social and charitable giving and that an Illinois representative be named to the new company’s board of directors. The company’s CEO will be required to appear annually before the Commission to report on compliance with the conditions in the Commission order.
The Commission ordered Nicor Gas to discontinue solicitation of inside pipe repairs on behalf of an affiliate company, the program known as Comfort Guard, when customers call.
The Commission found it to be an unjustified subsidy of the affiliate company, determined that call center personnel fail to provide pertinent information to customers and that the practice hinders competition for repair services, since Nicor call center personnel have an advantage in selling the service to the utility’s customers when they call.
Section 7-204 of the Public Utilities Act requires the Commission to find that the proposed reorganization will not adversely affect the utility’s ability to provide adequate, reliable, efficient, safe and least-cost public utility service.
The Public Utility’s Act states that the reorganization must not result in unjustified subsidization of non-utility activities by utility customers, will not significantly impair the utility’s ability to raise necessary capital on reasonable terms or to maintain a reasonable capital structure; allocates costs reasonably between utility and non-utility activities in a manner that can be easily identified by the Commission; does not adversely affect competition in the Illinois market; and that it will not result in adverse rate impacts on retail customers.
The Commission order determined Nicor ratepayers should not pay any of the costs associated with the merger and reorganization.
Showing posts with label ICC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ICC. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Gov Quinn Names EPA's Doug Scott as New Head of Commerce Commission, Flores to IDFPR
CHICAGO - February 28, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced several top appointments to his executive cabinet. Today’s actions are the next step in a series of appointments Governor Quinn will continue making throughout the first quarter of 2011 as he continues to fulfill his commitment to creating jobs, recovering our economy and making state government more efficient and accountable to the people of Illinois.
Today Governor Quinn named Doug Scott as chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Manuel “Manny” Flores as director of the Division of Banking of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Scott has served as director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) since 2005 and Flores has chaired the ICC since January 2010. Governor Quinn also named Andrew Ross as the state’s chief operating officer and Lisa Bonnett as interim director of IEPA.
“Throughout their careers, Doug Scott and Manny Flores have proven themselves to be strong advocates for the interests of Illinois’ working families,” said Governor Quinn. “Today’s appointments will allow them to keep fighting for Illinois’ consumers by ensuring proper oversight and regulation of utility companies and banks throughout our state.”
As director of the IEPA, Scott has protected Illinois’ consumers by working to significantly reduce emissions from the state’s power plants. He has also worked to support low-emission coal technology, wind power, and other alternative energy and fuel sources. Prior to leading the IEPA, Scott served as mayor of Rockford, and from 1995 to 2001 he served as state representative from Illinois’ 67th District. Scott has a bachelor of arts from the University of Tulsa and a juris doctorate from Marquette University.
As chairman of the ICC, Flores worked to ensure consumers received efficient, reliable, safe and fairly-priced utility services. Before leading the ICC, Flores served on the Chicago City Council and as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Dominican University and juris doctorate from George Washington University Law School.
Lisa Bonnett will serve as the interim director of the IEPA. Bonnett is currently serving as the agency’s acting deputy director and previously served at its chief fiscal officer. Bonnett has worked in state government for more than 30 years and lives in Springfield. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Today Governor Quinn also named Andrew Ross as the state’s chief operating officer. Ross, who for the last two years has served as a deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office, will lead efforts to promote continued job growth in Illinois. He will manage efforts in the governor’s office and across state government to keep and attract new companies, encourage expansion of the green economy, and spur entrepreneurship and innovation across Illinois. In his previous position, Ross worked on an incentive package to keep Navistar and 3,000 jobs in Illinois, aided implementation of the state’s $31 billion capital program and helped overhaul the regulation of the Illinois cemetery industry following the tragedy at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip.
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Today Governor Quinn named Doug Scott as chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Manuel “Manny” Flores as director of the Division of Banking of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Scott has served as director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) since 2005 and Flores has chaired the ICC since January 2010. Governor Quinn also named Andrew Ross as the state’s chief operating officer and Lisa Bonnett as interim director of IEPA.
“Throughout their careers, Doug Scott and Manny Flores have proven themselves to be strong advocates for the interests of Illinois’ working families,” said Governor Quinn. “Today’s appointments will allow them to keep fighting for Illinois’ consumers by ensuring proper oversight and regulation of utility companies and banks throughout our state.”
As director of the IEPA, Scott has protected Illinois’ consumers by working to significantly reduce emissions from the state’s power plants. He has also worked to support low-emission coal technology, wind power, and other alternative energy and fuel sources. Prior to leading the IEPA, Scott served as mayor of Rockford, and from 1995 to 2001 he served as state representative from Illinois’ 67th District. Scott has a bachelor of arts from the University of Tulsa and a juris doctorate from Marquette University.
As chairman of the ICC, Flores worked to ensure consumers received efficient, reliable, safe and fairly-priced utility services. Before leading the ICC, Flores served on the Chicago City Council and as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Dominican University and juris doctorate from George Washington University Law School.
Lisa Bonnett will serve as the interim director of the IEPA. Bonnett is currently serving as the agency’s acting deputy director and previously served at its chief fiscal officer. Bonnett has worked in state government for more than 30 years and lives in Springfield. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Today Governor Quinn also named Andrew Ross as the state’s chief operating officer. Ross, who for the last two years has served as a deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office, will lead efforts to promote continued job growth in Illinois. He will manage efforts in the governor’s office and across state government to keep and attract new companies, encourage expansion of the green economy, and spur entrepreneurship and innovation across Illinois. In his previous position, Ross worked on an incentive package to keep Navistar and 3,000 jobs in Illinois, aided implementation of the state’s $31 billion capital program and helped overhaul the regulation of the Illinois cemetery industry following the tragedy at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip.
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Monday, January 4, 2010
Chicago Alderman Manuel Flores to Lead the Illinois Commerce Commission
From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn
CHICAGO – January 4, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the appointment of Manuel Flores as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Flores, a Chicago alderman, brings to his new position a deep understanding of public service, a record for advancing pro-environmental initiatives, and a commitment to expanding broadband Internet access throughout Illinois.
“Manny Flores is an experienced and highly-regarded public servant who will provide a fresh viewpoint at this very important Commission,” said Governor Quinn. “He excelled in the Chicago City Council and will do so at the helm of the ICC.”
Upon Senate confirmation, Flores will be the first Latino Chairman of the ICC. A prominent member of the Chicago City Council, he was elected as 1st Ward Alderman in 2003. He has served in numerous capacities including on the Capital and Technology Development committee and the Energy, Environmental Protection, and Public Utilities committee. He also serves on the Illinois Broadband Deployment Council and the Board of Community Health. (Background information attached)
Flores has been a tireless advocate for building Chicago’s green economy by pushing for LEED certification in new developments, launching GreenEconomyChicago.com, an online social networking platform to develop policy to promote a green marketplace, and spearheading the Chicago’s Green Exchange development, a green business mall that will be a premier destination for clean technology and energy companies.
“I want to thank Governor Quinn for the appointment and I’m proud to serve the state of Illinois as the Chairman of Illinois Commerce Commission,” said Flores.
A graduate of Dominican University and George Washington University Law School, Flores served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He began his career in public service as an aide to Congressman Luis Guiterrez.
The Illinois Commerce Commission’s acts as a bridge between consumers and Illinois’ utility companies, seeking an appropriate balance between the interests of consumers and service providers in order to ensure adequate, efficient, reliable, safe and least-cost public utility services for all citizens of Illinois.
For more information on the ICC, please visit: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/
CHICAGO – January 4, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the appointment of Manuel Flores as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Flores, a Chicago alderman, brings to his new position a deep understanding of public service, a record for advancing pro-environmental initiatives, and a commitment to expanding broadband Internet access throughout Illinois.
“Manny Flores is an experienced and highly-regarded public servant who will provide a fresh viewpoint at this very important Commission,” said Governor Quinn. “He excelled in the Chicago City Council and will do so at the helm of the ICC.”
Upon Senate confirmation, Flores will be the first Latino Chairman of the ICC. A prominent member of the Chicago City Council, he was elected as 1st Ward Alderman in 2003. He has served in numerous capacities including on the Capital and Technology Development committee and the Energy, Environmental Protection, and Public Utilities committee. He also serves on the Illinois Broadband Deployment Council and the Board of Community Health. (Background information attached)
Flores has been a tireless advocate for building Chicago’s green economy by pushing for LEED certification in new developments, launching GreenEconomyChicago.com, an online social networking platform to develop policy to promote a green marketplace, and spearheading the Chicago’s Green Exchange development, a green business mall that will be a premier destination for clean technology and energy companies.
“I want to thank Governor Quinn for the appointment and I’m proud to serve the state of Illinois as the Chairman of Illinois Commerce Commission,” said Flores.
A graduate of Dominican University and George Washington University Law School, Flores served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He began his career in public service as an aide to Congressman Luis Guiterrez.
The Illinois Commerce Commission’s acts as a bridge between consumers and Illinois’ utility companies, seeking an appropriate balance between the interests of consumers and service providers in order to ensure adequate, efficient, reliable, safe and least-cost public utility services for all citizens of Illinois.
For more information on the ICC, please visit: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/
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