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Lawmakers Looking to Lock In Electricity Rates
(IRN)-The sponsor of a bill to lock in automatic electricity price increases says the measure will save money for consumers.

State Representative Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) says the savings will come from smart grid technology, allowing customers to conserve, and to use electricity when it's cheapest.

"The naysayers say, 'oh, it will always raise their rates.' Well I don't think they can say that. I think that the testimony of experts who come here have said that when they've looked at the smart grid technology in many places and in all the pilot programs they've had, it's actually reduced the rates for the folks. And that be whether they were from the poorer section of town, the older section of town, across all of the terms, all of them saved some money on this when they were given this technology," he said.

State lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday in Springfield on a bill under which Ameren and Com Ed would spend billions on smart grid upgrades, but the measure also would establish rate increases by law. McCarthy says he has some details to work out before he calls the bill for a vote on the House floor.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
05 03 11 by Newsroom
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