Illinois Regulator Probes Utility Practices to Ensure Safety, Reliability

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Aug. 12 opened an inquiry to gather information regarding its rules and regulations governing public utilities, in order to ensure safe and reliable electricity and natural gas services.

The move follows a gas explosion in Baltimore, Maryland on Aug. 10 wherein a property in the northwest region of the city was destroyed. While the investigation is ongoing, storms that left hundreds of thousands without power in the region have also prompted a scrutiny of what constitutes safe, reliable power.

The commission seeks responses from electric and gas utilities to a series of questions concerning the process involved in performing inspections of plants or equipment and addressing issues identified through inspections. Utilities are also required to provide an explanation of the processes in place to permit reporting from the public and existing safety awareness training measures.

Interested persons are invited to provide information regarding potential changes to rules and regulations, as well as improvements in utility practices or procedures, to better ensure safety and reliability.

The inquiry is the second of its type to be launched in 2020, following an investigation into energy affordability opened in March.

Initial comments are due by Sept. 15 and reply comments by Oct. 15.