Power to Consumers: The Revolution

In 2008, a diverse group of stakeholders met to discuss the barriers and benefits associated with modernizing the electric power system in Illinois. They found that an unreliable, inefficient power system was at the heart of the problem. Local mayors, who must address a host of safety, security, health and financial issues every time the power goes out, were particularly engaged in the process, and in early 2009 formed a team of leaders who, together with the Galvin Electricity Initiative, developed a set of Principles for a consumer driven power system, and then approved them in the form of a resolution.

The Principles serve as a “Bill of Rights” that can represent citizens and communities in any state and are designed to hold the electric utility industry — and the policies that regulate it — accountable to the needs and wants of 21st century consumers, first and foremost.

Suggested resources:

• Electricty Consumers Principles
• Open Letter to the Utility Trade Organizations
• An Electric Revolution
  • A Primer on Reform
  • Grains of Sand
  • What You Can Do

Further resources:

• Politico op-ed