Energy Group Pledges To Freeze Gas Bills If Allowed To Take Over Integrys

(CBS) -- Wisconsin Energy is promising not to raise gas bills for two years if it's allowed to take over the parent of Peoples and North Shore Gas, reports WBBM's Bob Roberts.

The filing with the Illinois Commerce Commission does not take into consideration rate-hikes of up to $5 a month for the typical Peoples' customer and $2.5 for a North Shore customer, which are already pending.

The pledge dates from the day Wisconsin Energy would close on current owner Integrys. It also preserves 2,000 frontline jobs locally.

WBBM asked Wisconsin Energy's Brian Matthew what role if any the meeting last month between Mayor Emanuel and the utility's CEO played in the pledge.

"The conversations with Mayor Emanuel and also with other stakeholders were very important prior to filing this," Matthew said.

No final decision is expected until sometime next year.