Peoples Gas charged customers 10 times more than it was supposed to

Peoples Gas charged customers 10 times more than it was supposed to

If you noticed a jump in your March gas bill, you’re not alone.

On May 14, Peoples Gas released its first quarter report for the pipe replacement program that consumers were told would add a $1.14 surcharge to their monthly bills. Instead, the report shows that the average Peoples Gas customer paid more than $12 extra in March. The troubled pipe replacement program has far exceeded its budget while failing to deliver on many of the consumer benefits it promised — and the excessive surcharges have contributed to a home heating affordability crisis in Chicago. Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently introduced an energy bill that would end the surcharge, as well as automatic formula rate hikes used by other utilities, and Illinois PIRG is calling on that state Legislature to pass it.

“We didn’t give Peoples Gas a blank check, and we can’t afford to waste money on supposed ‘upgrades’ which so far have not reduced pipeline failure rates,” said Illinois PIRG State Director Abe Scarr.

“It’s time to end automatic gas utility surcharges forcing Chicagoans to pick up the tab for this failing program and shielding Peoples Gas from accountability.”

Read more.

Learn more about our ongoing campaign to convince Illinois lawmakers to reform this wasteful project.

Peoples Gas honored as one of nation’s most trusted energy companies

CHICAGO, July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – For the third year in a row, Peoples Gas is being recognized as one of the nation’s top energy companies for exceptional customer service and communication. The company has been named a 2021 Most Trusted Utility Brand in a nationwide study by Escalent, a top human behavior and analytics advisory firm. Peoples Gas received the second-highest Brand Trust Index score in the Midwest among natural gas service-only utilities.

Peoples Gas received the Most Trusted Utility Brand honor, in part, because of its efforts to connect with and assist its customers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing affordable, reliable and clean energy during the pandemic, the company worked with customers on flexible payment arrangements and enhanced digital services. Peoples Gas also supported communities through donations to front-line relief efforts.

“The world changed a lot over the past year, presenting every business with extraordinary challenges. While no one person or company can control external forces, what we can do is stay focused and committed to providing world-class, reliable service,” said Charles Matthews, president and CEO — Peoples Gas. “We listened to our customers' and community’s needs, and adapted as necessary to meet those needs. We are proud of our efforts, and proud to receive this recognition.”

Peoples Gas also was named a Most Trusted Utility Brand in 2020 and 2019. In addition, in April 2021, Escalent recognized Peoples Gas as an “Environmental Champion” after the company earned the highest Environmental Dedication Index score among all natural gas utilities in the Midwest.

The Most Trusted Brand recognition from Escalent is based on the Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement: Residential study. The study evaluates energy companies in the areas of customer focus, community support, communications effectiveness, reliable quality, environmental dedication and company reputation. More than 75,000 utility customers across 140 energy companies were surveyed as part of the study.

Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves more than 878,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the city of Chicago. You can find more information about natural gas safety, energy efficiency and other energy-related topics at peoplesgasdelivery.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @peoplegaschi.

SOURCE Peoples Gas

Peoples Gas sued after gas explosion killed USF student

The family of a University of South Florida student killed in a gas explosion is suing Tampa Electric Co.’s sister company, Peoples Gas, over his death.

Adrian Lopez, 23, was visiting his parents in late 2020 when a contractor for Frontier Communications was drilling near their Bradenton home. While the contractor, Next Generation, drilled, it struck a buried gas line, according to the lawsuit. Next Generation is also a defendant in the lawsuit.

Peoples Gas and the local fire department arrived at the scene and determined that the gas had “migrated into the sewer line.”

“Once (Peoples Gas) became aware that gas was traveling unimpeded through the sewer line, it knew or should have known that this was an elevated threat that needed to be resolved,” the lawsuit said.

Peoples Gas spokesperson Sylvia Vega said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

The Lopez’s home was about 300 feet from the affected gas line, but the lawsuit alleges that no one took any gas readings inside of the home.

According to the lawsuit, residents around the area were told to evacuate, but the Lopezes were not. After about two-and-a-half hours of gas leaking, the Lopezes’ home exploded, blowing off the roof.

Lopez and his father, Adrian Lopez Sr., had “significant” burns from the incident, while his mother Francisca Lopez was also injured.

“Because the Lopez house was considered ‘unsafe,’” the lawsuit alleged, “the fire department and (emergency management services) personnel refused to enter the house and treat the Lopez family, which forced (them) to make their own way out of the house.”

Lopez died from his injuries in mid-January. He had been studying engineering.

The lawsuit alleges that Peoples Gas should have shut the gas off to the affected line instead of looking for the leak to fix it, shut off power to the area to prevent ignition and evacuated the entire area around the leaking pipeline.

The Lopezes are suing for damages.