Expert Consultation for Gas Utilities: Aspen Provides Expertise in Gas Utility Rate Cases in Illinois

Recently, a group of non-profit public interest organizations, led by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), won three gas utility rate cases before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The cases involved requests to increase revenue requirements and rates for Peoples Gas Light and Coke, Nicor Gas, and Ameren. The coalition, which included entities like the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), challenged the utility's spending practices considering state policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Aspen’s Director of Energy Policy and Market Assessment, Catherine Elder, participated in these cases as an expert witness for ELPC.  Her testimony addressed issues such as the utility’s spending on gas distribution and facility upgrades, and whether consideration was given to less costly alternatives given state policies for electrifying gas demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Elder played an integral role in providing the ICC valuable analysis and information it needed to make determinations.  At its November meeting, the ICC disallowed certain spending, specifically citing Elder’s testimony, and explaining that the utility had not properly justified the spending to replace certain facilities.