|
|
||||
| Public Act 095-0814 |
||||
| ||||
| ||||
AN ACT concerning regulation.
| ||||
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
| ||||
represented in the General Assembly:
| ||||
Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing | ||||
Section 9-225 as follows:
| ||||
(220 ILCS 5/9-225) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 9-225)
| ||||
Sec. 9-225. (1) For the purposes of this Section:
| ||||
(a) "Advertising" means the commercial use, by an electric, | ||||
or gas, water, or sewer utility,
of any media, including | ||||
newspapers, printed matter, radio and television,
in order to | ||||
transmit a message to a substantial number of members of the
| ||||
public or to such utility's consumers;
| ||||
(b) "Political advertising" means any advertising for the | ||||
purpose of
influencing public opinion with respect to | ||||
legislative, administrative or
electoral matters, or with | ||||
respect to any controversial issue of public importance;
| ||||
(c) "Promotional advertising" means any advertising for | ||||
the purpose of
encouraging any person to select or use the | ||||
service or additional service
of a utility or the selection or | ||||
installation of any appliance or equipment
designed to use such | ||||
utility's service; and
| ||||
(d) "Goodwill or institutional advertising" means any | ||||
advertising either
on a local or national basis designed | ||||
primarily to bring the utility's name
before the general public | ||
in such a way as to improve the image of the utility
or to | ||
promote controversial issues for the utility or the industry.
| ||
(2) In any general rate increase requested by any gas, or | ||
electric, water, or sewer utility
company under the provisions | ||
of this Act, the Commission shall not consider,
for the purpose | ||
of determining any rate, charge or classification of costs,
any | ||
direct or indirect expenditures for promotional, political, | ||
institutional
or goodwill advertising, unless the Commission | ||
finds the advertising to
be in the best interest of the | ||
Consumer or authorized as provided pursuant
to subsection 3 of | ||
this Section.
| ||
(3) The following categories of advertising shall be | ||
considered allowable
operating expenses for gas, or electric, | ||
water, or sewer utilities:
| ||
(a) Advertising which informs consumers how they can | ||
conserve energy or water, or
can reduce peak demand for | ||
electric or gas energy, or reduce demand for water;
| ||
(b) Advertising required by law or regulations, including | ||
advertising
required under Part I of Title II of the National | ||
Energy Conservation Policy Act;
| ||
(c) Advertising regarding service interruptions, safety | ||
measures
or emergency conditions;
| ||
(d) Advertising concerning employment opportunities with | ||
such utility;
| ||
(e) Advertising which promotes the use of energy efficient | ||
appliances,
equipment or services;
| ||
(f) Explanations of existing or proposed rate schedules or | ||
notifications
of hearings thereon;
| ||
(g) Advertising that identifies the location and operating | ||
hours of company
business offices;
| ||
(h) Advertising which promotes the shifting of demand from | ||
peak to off-peak
hours or which encourages the off-peak usage | ||
of the service; and
| ||
(i) "Other" categories of advertisements not includable in | ||
paragraphs
(a) through (h), but which are not political, | ||
promotional, institutional
or goodwill advertisements.
| ||
(Source: P.A. 84-617.)
| ||
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
| ||