Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration has reached a tentative 15-year deal with Commonwealth Edison that provides significant benefits for consumers and “preserves the city’s ability to municipalize after the first five years,” Chicago City Council members were told Monday.
During a series of virtual briefings Monday, Council members were told the administration has actually reached "two companion agreements" with Commonwealth Edison.
New West Side Clean Energy Training Hub and $3.2 million investment for Chicago Builds, a Chicago Public Schools construction training program. A slide from the presentation described even more benefits of the two agreements, such as creating a "third-party non-profit board" to administer the energy and equity funds and a new advisory panel to shape the program and oversee progress.
ComEd likewise did not confirm a deal, issuing a statement that the utility "remains closely engaged with the City of Chicago to arrive at an agreement that will expand on our century-long partnership to support and spur a reliable and equitable transition to a clean energy future for all of Chicago’s communities."
"We are poised to see significant changes in environmental protection, sustainability and the demand on our electric grid. Knowing that there’s so much change to happen over such a short period of time, Council is in favor of a shorter agreement," he said. Far North Side Ald. Maria Hadden said she needs to see the fine print — not simply the broad outlines — to determine if the proposed agreement includes enough concessions for Chicago ratepayers.
"We often don’t feel like we have a lot of control or input. Some kind of balance of power is really what I’ll be looking for. Utility companies are big and powerful, so it’s difficult for us as consumers to feel like we have a real voice. But figuring out some way in this franchise agreement to have those checks and balances — including the corruption piece and what are the ethics reforms — is something that I’ll be looking for," she said.
Lightfoot had asked a consultant to study the feasibility of a municipal takeover of Chicago’s electric service. The final report is expected to be released in August. That resulted in a "deferred prosecution agreement" requiring the utility to pay a $200 million fine and cooperate with the continuing investigation.
"I’m not going to tell you that the end justifies the means. I’m simply making the point that the investments that have been made in the system … did not harm customers," he said.Once municipalization was taken off the table, Lightfoot was reduced to making demands of ComEd without the ultimate leverage.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot ripped for dancing at parade as crime surgesChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been slammed for dancing in the streets during the Lunar New Year parade Sunday – as violent crime surges and retailers abandon the Windy City’s “Magnificent Mile.”…
Leer más »
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Dances at Parade amid City's Crime ProblemOnlookers witnessed Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) dancing at a parade over the weekend, garnering criticisms as the Windy City continues to experience a dramatic rise in crime.
Leer más »
Lori Lightfoot sparks backlash over dancing video amid Chicago crime waveThe video of Lightfoot dancing in the street has begun to circulate online and has so far been viewed more than 50,000 times.
Leer más »
Former Illinois governor calls Lightfoot's tentative agreement with ComEd a 'bum deal' for consumersJust 29 days before an election that could make her a lame duck, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday asked Chicago City Council members to quickly approve a new, 15-year franchise agreement with ComEd.
Leer más »
Lori Lightfoot ripped for dancing in street as crime soars: 'Marie Antoinette of America's mayors'Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot garnered intense criticism for dancing at a Lunar New Year parade as crime skyrockets throughout The Windy City.
Leer más »