Martin Cohen
Martin Cohen
act approved attorney auction authority clearly commerce commission electricity final general gives hikes illinois legal order power proposal public rate review stand unlimited
We stand with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in this lawsuit, ... The Illinois Commerce Commission does not have the legal authority to order a power auction with unlimited rate hikes as the outcome. The ICC should tell Ameren and ComEd to take their auction proposal to Springfield for review by the General Assembly, which approved a Public Utilities Act that clearly gives Illinois regulators final say over electricity rates.
choice heat turn winter
You have no choice if you're going to live through the winter than to turn your heat on,
best both carrots customers earn ensure fair job legal matter mention moral opportunity possible proper receive reliable responsibility service
Utilities have a legal responsibility, not to mention a moral one, to ensure that their customers receive reliable service at the least possible cost, ... It's the commission's job to make sure that happens. It's a matter of having the proper incentives, both carrots and sticks, to make sure utilities do the best they can for their customers and have a fair opportunity to earn a profit.
herself himself might reasonably
must disqualify himself or herself in a proceeding in which his or her impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
advantage folks
My sense is that we have a lot of (uninsured) folks out here who would take advantage of it.
bit brought certainly great looked lump responsibility sat tear throat window
I wouldn't say it brought a tear to my eye, but certainly a little bit of a lump in my throat when I (first) sat down here and looked out that window and said, OK, this is a great responsibility I have.
apartment market poised
The apartment market is poised to do well.
build building commercial continues costs economy economy-and-economics estate excess grow major months produce rates six space today
Currently, there is little or no overbuilding in any commercial real estate sector, and as the economy continues to grow and produce jobs, excess space is being absorbed, making occupancy rates rise. To build a building today costs materially more than six months ago or two years ago in most major cities.
auction consumers energy expose markets proven risks
Energy markets have proven to be volatile, unpredictable and trending dramatically upwards. This auction would expose consumers to all of the risks of the market.
background conclude reason therefore
There's no reason to think that because I have a pro-consumer background that one should therefore conclude I'm not going to be impartial,
based evidence looked opinions
Any opinions I have are based on the same evidence that commissioners looked at. I haven't pre-judged anything. I don't have any preconceived notions. I have well-informed ideas.