Posted on 08/14/2019 5:50:33 PM PDT by Vince Ferrer
Twenty-two aldermen today called on the city to quickly commission a study on the feasibility of a municipal takeover of Commonwealth Edison’s infrastructure in Chicago.
The proposed order, spearheaded by democratic socialists on the City Council, comes as the city’s franchise agreement with ComEd is due to be renewed. That agreement, which permits ComEd to operate in the city, dates back to 1947 and has been negotiated only twice. The last time it was renewed was in 1992.
“Chicago has an opportunity to define its energy future,” 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said in a statement. “Through municipalization, Chicago could accelerate decarbonization and implement a progressive rate structure that ensures better rates for working-class Chicagoans.”
Added 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata in the statement, “The council and the public should understand the socioeconomic, financial and environmental impacts of each possible alternative to the existing franchise agreement before embarking on any renegotiation of the existing agreement with ComEd.”
Presumably, a “progressive rate structure” would mean that middle-class and wealthy Chicagoans would pay more for electricity than working-class households.
The proposed order would have the Department of Fleet & Facilities Management, which oversees the franchise agreement, to hire a firm to produce the study no later than Dec. 1.
With the agreement expiring at the end of 2020, negotiations with ComEd now are getting under way in earnest.
“The city will always explore all available options for ensuring the highest quality electricity delivery at the greatest value for our residents and businesses," a spokesman for Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in an email. "With negotiations between the city and ComEd currently under way, we are evaluating all options for continuing to provide efficient and reliable service for all of Chicago. We have received an ordinance introduced today and are reviewing it.”
Electric utilities in big cities are coming under increased scrutiny in recent weeks. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio recently called for studying a city takeover of Consolidated Edison’s operation there following outages that paralyzed portions of the subway during rush hour and that kept tens of thousands of homes without power during a recent heat wave.
In a statement, ComEd said it's served Chicago well. "ComEd customers are enjoying record reliability in the city of Chicago, where ComEd’s smart grid and other investments have reduced the frequency of outages by nearly 60 percent since 2012 and customer satisfaction is at an all-time high," the utility said. Negotiating the franchise agreement "is an opportunity to build on that progress, which has helped establish the region as a leader in energy innovation while keeping energy affordable for families and businesses. We look forward to working with the city of Chicago on an agreement that ensures the continued safe and reliable delivery of energy that is affordable and increasingly clean and resilient."
City should study ComEd takeover, aldermen say
That should work out well.
Nicolás Maduro Morosis their chief consultant for this job.
What could possibly go wrong with a high integrity, well-run, efficient city government like Chicago running something as simple as the electric and natural gas provider for the city?
they could ban electricity like they have guns - that will ensure plenty for everyone.
We had a 10-minute storm here last night. The power was out for two hours for 850+ homes. While ComEd’s services around here are known for being kinda shoddy, it will be nothing but brownouts then blackouts if Chicago takes it over.
That should work out well.
They can use the profit from the proposed Chicago ghetto casino to purchase ComED!
Also the extra income from the big area boost of the 0bama palace!
Just wait til the power goes out during the summer due to mismanagement, let the games begin, maybe they could hit 100 shootings on a regular basis
Chicago Teachers Union was just down in Venezuela for solidarity with Maduro and his communist thugs.
Hundreds of guaranteed democrat voters from weather death so it would be considered a great bounty for the ghoul party.
Just when you thought they couldn’t get any crazier they go and get crazier.
L
Regulating commerce...
Indeed, the city of Chitcago should ask ComEd to take over running the city. At least ComEd is successful at it’s primary job of keeping the lights on, whereas Chicago is a total failure at it’s primary job of keeping it’s citizens safe.
ComEd used to be run by Bill Ayres father ...
I predict massive blackouts in Chicago’s future.
I doubt that the NRC would allow that to happen. The hearings would be funny though.
This is so laughable! Chicago is the most corrupt city in the country, this should work out really well! (/heavy_sarcasm)
Those are run by Exelon and not ComEd.
See my #19
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