Press Release: Jan 24, 2006 (1:36 pm)

Competitive Bid Plan Proves to be Best Solution for Illinois

CHICAGO – Consumers Organized for Reliable Electricity (CORE) today applauded the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) decision to allow Illinois utility companies to buy power on the open market at the lowest possible price. The ICC ruling enables the restructuring of the electric industry in Illinois to move forward as outlined in a 1997 state law.

“This is a great day for Illinois,” said David J. Vite, CORE Advisory Committee member and president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “Sound long-term energy policy decisions are important to preserving and building our state’s economy, and I commend the hard-working commissioners and staff at the ICC for their leadership today.” 

The ICC decision concludes months of controversial debate between proponents of the procurement plan and opposition groups, who provided no realistic alternatives for utilities to buy power on the open market beginning later this year. CORE has tirelessly supported the competitive bid plan and believes that it provides the best way for investor-owned utilities to purchase power and establish a competitive electric marketplace in Illinois.

Last month the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) also approved the proposal for a competitive bidding process, affirming that this process meets the FERC’s stringent standards for what is competitive.

“Time and again, experts have reviewed the competitive bid proposal and agreed that it guarantees competition and will serve Illinois consumers well,” said Avis LaVelle, a CORE spokesperson. “Absent political pressures, there is broad consensus that Illinois should continue to move toward open energy markets. Now it’s important that the General Assembly allow the process to move forward unimpeded.”

CORE is a coalition of business, labor, community and energy groups that support the preservation of reliable electricity, the transition of the industry to competition and energy decisions made by the experts at the Illinois Commerce Commission. CORE’s Advisory Committee members represent more than 100,000 businesses and more than 1 million individuals across Illinois.

For more information, visit the CORE Web site at www.illinoiscore.org.

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