Nicor Rate Case Update – Maverick Energy Consulting – Implement price risk management strategies for natural gas, diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline and electricity.

On December 11, 2020 NICOR filed Rebuttal Testimony. In its Rebuttal Testimony NICOR rejected all the proposals and arguments presented by intervenors. NICOR is essentially standing by its original proposal. NICOR did recognize that some changes need to be made for seasonal customers who do not use natural gas during certain seasons, such as the winter period. However, these changes only affect a few customers.

If the proposed changes are adopted by the ICC, the out-of-tolerance penalty costs for large customers could exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars per month or more. Based on data responses NICOR provided to intervenors, NICOR did not make any attempt to assess the financial risk of their proposed changes to customers. The daily tolerance penalty proposal also has a potential to significantly impact the cost of natural gas being delivered to the Chicago and Midwest markets.

Intervenors are scheduled to file their Rebuttal Testimony on January 14, 2021 and NICOR will file its Surrebuttal Testimony on January 29, 2021. If NICOR modifies any of its proposals before a Final Order is issued it must occur either through negotiation with the intervenors or made in its Surrebuttal testimony.