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Seniors and residents urge Illinois Commerce Commission to curb Peoples Gas pipe‑replacement plan
Summary
Public commenters at the Illinois Commerce Commission meeting urged the commission to limit Peoples Gas’s System Modernization Program, favor targeted replacement of only the most dangerous pipes, and prioritize a managed transition to cleaner energy to avoid disproportionate costs for low‑income and senior customers.
Martie Kloves, representing Third Act Illinois, told the Illinois Commerce Commission on Nov. 7 that many seniors living on fixed incomes are vulnerable to rising utility bills and urged the commission to scrutinize Peoples Gas’s System Modernization Program (SMP).
"We are here today to talk about Peoples Gas," Kloves said, arguing broad, full‑system pipe replacement is "wasteful and unacceptable" for customers who rely on Social Security and limited savings. Kloves said she appreciated that the ICC had paused the SMP and created future gas stakeholder sessions, but she urged the commission to move beyond discussion and require stronger accountability and transparency from the utility.
Kira Dault, communications director for Faith in Place and a South Side homeowner, warned that large SMP expenditures would make electrification unaffordable for many residents and shift costs to households that remain on gas. Citing a Citizens Utility Board analysis, Dault said a modest annual decline in Peoples Gas customers could sharply raise delivery charges over time, emphasizing the plan’s potential equity implications for renters and low‑income homeowners.
Aria Brown, a University of Illinois Chicago student and Peoples Gas customer, described repeated street closures and dust from construction in her neighborhood and urged the commission to require a targeted replacement program that focuses only on the most dangerous pipes. "Require Peoples Gas to run a targeted program that will only focus on their most dangerous pipes so Chicago can have a safer, quicker, and easier transition to clean energy," Brown said.
All three speakers asked the commission to prioritize public safety while avoiding blanket system replacement that could lock Chicago into gas heating and saddle vulnerable customers with rising bills. Commissioners did not publicly debate or act on the SMP during this meeting; the commission’s public comment rules state it will not respond directly to comments during the meeting.
The commission moved on to its agenda after public comment; no formal vote or order on the Peoples Gas SMP was recorded in the meeting minutes for Nov. 7.
