Chambana Sun

State Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) requested a subject matter hearing before the Illinois House of Representatives Energy and Environment Committee on the recent spike in natural gas prices following interruptions in the supply chain.

Marron wrote in a March 31 letter that the spike in prices are tied to severe weather that hit Texas and Oklahoma, creating interruptions and supply delays. He said it is particularly troubling given the hardships his constituents already face due to the economic crisis created by COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our own community of  Westville has been caught in the middle of this energy bill crisis, which has brought an overbearing burden after the last year of financial woes caused by the pandemic,” Marron said in a March 31 Facebook post. “I would like to explore this serious issue together as a committee and ensure we are doing everything we can for our residents.”

Marron said the price spike created problems for both local governments and individuals in the letter to the committee chair state Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago). He said that the crisis has been particularly hard on community members living on either a low or fixed income, such as seniors.

Marron also said in his letter that there is a current investigation by the Illinois Office of the Attorney General to determine whether anyone has intentionally profited off of the crisis by manipulating the market.