The extreme winter weather and sub-zero temperatures are causing power outages in some areas and natural gas price spikes in others.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has declared a disaster after the recent winter storm.
Some central Illinois natural gas customers this weekend were told by local officials a unit of natural gas costing $3 could increase to $600.
In one statement from Utility Gas Management, a management service for municipally-owned natural gas systems, a representative said “this has never happened before.”
“We need everyone to lower their natural gas usage to prevent even further potential penalties from occurring,” said Ron Ragan of Utility Gas Management. “Failure to reduce your usage could have an even further negative impact on your gas costs. Everyone can play a part in keeping costs in check. This has never happened before.”
State Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Springfield, said he briefed the governor’s office on the situation.
“We’re asking for an emergency declaration that would open up some federal money for municipalities to be able to pay for this without having an immediate impact on their customers,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he hopes there isn’t price gouging.
“It seems like on the surface that might be what is happening, but I am not going to make that assumption until I have more time to have hearings on this and really, truly understand what I think is happening,” Murphy said.
Noting natural gas price problems and around 7,000 Illinois households without power at one point Tuesday, the governor declared a statewide winter storm disaster. He said he’s working with federal officials for assistance to protect ratepayers from soaring utility bills.
“I urge all Illinoisans to take this extreme weather seriously, avoid all unnecessary travel and check in on your neighbors,” Pritzker said.
The recent frigid temperature and stories of frozen wind turbines in other states leading to blackouts has Murphy cautious about changing the state’s energy portfolio.
Last week in supporting the proposed Clean Energy Jobs Act, Sierra Club’s Jack Darin said they are aiming to move to 100 percent clean energy.
“CEJA is all about having our utilities, over time, shift their investments from a dirty source of energy that’s polluting our communities to cleaner ones,” Darin said.
Considering the energy crisis in Illinois and elsewhere during extreme weather events, Murphy said moving away from fossil fuel-based energy isn’t the best idea.
“It’s reliable and we cannot have something like wind turbines being froze up and no sun out there,” he said.
Press Release From Governor’s Office:
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for all 102 counties in response to the dangerous winter storm that has blanketed the state with life threatening wind chills, power outages and accumulating snow. The extreme arctic temperatures affecting more than ten states adds additional stress on utility providers across the nation. As of 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, approximately 7,000 Illinois households were without power, and that number is expected to fluctuate as the strain of arctic temperatures and extreme weather continues. To alleviate stress on the nation’s grid, all Illinois residents are encouraged to take appropriate measures to safely conserve energy.
“I have directed my administration to use all resources at our disposal to keep our communities safe amid dangerous and ongoing winter weather,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are in communication with local governments to ensure they have the support they need in disaster response and recovery operations. We are also working with our federal partners to pursue federal assistance to help communities recover and to do what we can to protect ratepayers from soaring utility bills. I urge all Illinoisans to take this extreme weather seriously, avoid all unnecessary travel and check in on your neighbors.”
Extreme weather has resulted in frozen wells in key natural gas producing states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The sub-zero temperatures are resulting in increased demand and decreased supply, causing natural gas prices to spike. Utility companies across the nation are reporting soaring wholesale costs, and without federal intervention, those increased prices could result in higher utility bills for Illinois residents in the coming weeks.
“Proper home heating is a critical issue during the winter months, and over time has proven deadly for many families,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “If using an alternative heating source during this extreme weather, take a moment to ensure that your carbon monoxide detector is working properly. The proper safety precautions can save lives during extreme weather.”
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is offering the following tips to help households conserve energy while keeping winter safety a priority.
WINTERIZE YOUR HOME: Winterize your home to extend your fuel supply
Insulate walls and attics
Caulk and weatherize doors and windows
Hang blankets over windows at night but let the sunshine in during the day
Cover cracks around doors with rugs, newspapers, towels or other such material
WHEN AT HOME: Safely conserve energy
Stay indoors in a heated room as much as possible
If you have no heat, close doors and vents in unused rooms and shut the doors
Turn down your home’s thermostat just a few degrees and bundle up with layers or a thick blanket
Lower the temperature on your home water heater a few degrees
Avoid using large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, or dryers
Reverse your ceiling fan to turn clockwise, producing an updraft that will move the warm air that collects near your ceiling down to the rest of the room
If using alternative heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc., use safeguards and ensure proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Over the course of the next few days, Governor Pritzker encourages all Illinoisans to check on their neighbors, especially elderly neighbors who may need assistance.
Statistics show 46 percent of individuals expect to rely on the people in their neighborhood for assistance within the first 72 hours after an emergency or disaster. If you are unable to get in touch with your neighbor, or if you are worried, please contact your local law enforcement for a welfare check.
More tips for staying safe at home and on the road are available in a Winter Weather Preparedness Guide developed by IEMA and the National Weather Service. This guide is available, in digital form, on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.