# Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy meeting, May 5, 2025

- When: Mon, May 5, 2025, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/environmental-protection-and-energy)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1080347413
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1080347413.txt) (23,338 words, official captions)

## Meeting notes

> AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.

The Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy, chaired by Alderperson Maria E. Hadden, held a subject matter hearing on the Illinois Commerce Commission's February 2025 ruling on Peoples Gas's pipe replacement program, which allows work to resume but limits it to retiring at-risk iron pipe by 2035 under a safety monitor. The committee heard from the new Peoples Gas president, two labor unions that supported resuming the work, Illinois PIRG, which called for better risk ranking and alternatives such as pipe lining, and the Citizens Utility Board, which raised affordability and customer debt concerns. Members asked about the location and pace of the roughly 1,100 miles of pipe, tariffs, cost controls, future rate increases, workforce diversity, permitting delays and coordination with CDOT, and assistance for low-income customers. Peoples Gas said it does not plan to seek a rate increase in 2025 but is evaluating one for 2026. No action was taken on the subject matter; the committee approved its Rule 45 report and a remote participation motion.

Topics: Peoples Gas pipe replacement program, ICC ruling, gas rates and affordability, permitting and CDOT coordination, pipe safety, labor and jobs, alternatives to pipe replacement, LIHEAP, tariffs

### Agenda items discussed

- [17:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=1051) Rule 59 motion to allow remote participation: passed
- [18:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=1109) Rule 45 report from April: passed
- [18:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=1126) Subject matter hearing on the Illinois Commerce Commission's ruling on the Peoples Gas System Modernization Program (pipe replacement program): discussed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (chair): Summarized the ICC's February ruling limiting Peoples Gas to retiring at-risk pipes by 2035 with a safety monitor and greater emissions data reporting. ([18:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=1138)); Said the ruling balances retiring at-risk pipes with leaving room for cleaner solutions given climate change. ([20:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=1215)); Said the committee is discussing a regular annual hearing with Peoples Gas similar to ComEd's summer preparedness hearing. ([58:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=3482))
- [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (alderperson): Asked Peoples Gas for a map of the roughly 1,100 miles of pipe to be retired. ([59:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=3558)); Asked when Peoples Gas expects to reach peak replacement capacity. ([59:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=3597)); Asked how tariffs could affect the cost of the work and which materials are not domestically sourced. ([1:02:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=3729))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Thanked Peoples Gas for replacing an old pipe near his ward and commended the ICC for addressing high-risk pipe prioritization, cost overruns and customer debt. ([1:10:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4246)); Asked whether Peoples Gas can increase its replacement rate from about 49 miles per year to its projected 110. ([1:11:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4294)); Cited the ICC report's criticism of cost estimating and asked how Peoples Gas will manage costs better. ([1:14:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4488))
- [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (alderperson): Asked how Peoples Gas balances safety and reliability with prioritizing speed, and about the safety monitor's role. ([1:19:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4752)); Asked what criteria the new risk-ranking model uses. ([1:21:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4892)); Asked about the cost difference between full replacement and cured-in-place lining. ([1:23:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4994))
- [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (alderperson): Recognized the passing of public servant Lori Healey. ([1:26:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=5189)); Asked how many union gas workers are African American and requested the breakdown in whole numbers. ([1:28:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=5318)); Asked whether there is outreach to high schools with trades programs. ([1:29:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=5370))
- [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (alderperson): Compared the ICC pause to the halted lead line replacement program and said the ruling ended with the same conclusion to resume work, now at a faster pace. ([1:46:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6414)); Criticized an ICC-approved surcharge on businesses that he said was adopted without an impact study. ([1:48:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6529)); Said city departments such as CDOT also have inconsistent cost estimates, citing city sidewalk costs nearly double Peoples Gas's. ([1:50:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6607))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Asked whether $7.2 billion remains to complete the program. ([2:09:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=7789)); Asked how it is fair for consumers to keep paying for the program given its history and a reported bill increase. ([2:11:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=7882)); Cited reports of high bill increases and shutoff risk in some neighborhoods and asked what Peoples Gas is doing for struggling customers. ([2:13:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=8017))
- [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (alderperson): Said gas rates are soaring and customer debt and arrears are a grave concern. ([2:20:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=8453)); Said preserving the federal LIHEAP program is critical for Chicago consumers. ([2:22:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=8525)); Noted Peoples Gas's record profit and that its 2023 prediction of lower gas prices did not occur. ([2:23:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=8616))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:11:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=4294) Conway noted his first set of questions had largely been asked by Martin.
- [1:30:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=5440) Moore said Conway had stated something he was also going to say about the report.
- [1:40:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6031) Hadden asked Moore to wrap up so other members could ask questions.
- [1:43:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6203) Hadden suggested Moore review the report and follow up offline.
- [1:46:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6386) Lopez joked that he would not let Moore go ahead of him again.
- [1:47:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=6457) Lopez noted his colleague from the 34th Ward had read the ICC report.
- [2:00:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=7251) Hadden agreed with Lopez that permitting is an issue.
- [2:07:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=7669) Hadden told Lopez she would look for a proposal on permitting through the committee.
- [2:09:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=7742) Lopez thanked Hadden and offered to work together on hearings about permitting.
- [2:32:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=9121) Reilly said Lopez raised a good point about city restoration costs.
- [2:33:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2?t=9201) Hadden told Reilly the ComEd summer preparedness hearing is June 13.

## Documents

- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/f87cc704-3121-f011-9989-001dd806d7e6.pdf)
- [Monthly Rule 45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/7f90e3d6-0923-445a-81f6-423c7b388f69.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/7df1c5fb-975b-414b-b653-51f9e9b4fb3a.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/6aaa2361-5559-4605-9b2b-56c73d054dcc.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FC0CEFBF-3021-F011-9989-001DD806D4F2 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt