Washington has taken a step closer to passing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a historic investment in energy efficiency and the nation’s most ambitious attempt yet to fight climate change. On Sunday, Aug. 7, the U.S. Senate passed the legislation, which required a simple majority, under a procedure called “budget…...
CUB explainer: The Inflation Reduction Act
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that supporters say would represent the nation’s largest investment in energy efficiency in history, and its biggest and best attempt yet to fight climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aims to reduce inflation by increasing corporate tax revenue by closing loopholes and supporting…...
Advocates push for cutting $18.8 million off Illinois American Water rate-hike request
CUB argues that Illinois’ biggest private water company is pushing for an exorbitant profit rate for its shareholders, and its $100 million rate-hike request should be reduced by nearly 20 percent. The consumer watchdog group co-sponsored testimony from Christopher Walters, an expert on water regulatory issues with Brubaker & Associates,…...
Alert: CUB urges struggling consumers to call their utilities before key protections expire July 31
Amid high energy prices, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is urging consumers who are struggling to pay their utility bills to call their utilities immediately to learn about protections available to stay connected to service. Some of those safeguards expire July 31. “It’s been a rough year for utility customers,…...
CUB’s virtual summer event series to help consumers fight high utility bills
In an expensive year for energy customers, CUB has launched a free summer webinar series with helpful information about high energy prices, tips on how renters and other consumers can cut their utility bills, and the benefits of Illinois’ historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). “Consumers are getting hit…...
August update: Gas prices still at unprecedented highs, prepare for expensive winter
Illinois is entering its eighteenth month of elevated natural gas prices, with several utilities charging unprecedented highs of more than $1 a therm, according to pricing data filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Last winter was the most expensive in more than a decade, and it looks like the…...
$10.3B renewable energy transmission project long-term response to capacity shortage
The power grid operator for Central and Southern Illinois has approved a $10.3 billion transmission line project that in the long term will bring more clean energy to the region and help prevent problems that have slammed electric customers with skyrocketing power bills this summer. The project, approved by the…...
Ameren offers $500,000 in assistance, and special payment plans have July 31 deadline
In a summer of skyrocketing power prices, Ameren Illinois announced it is using $500,000 in shareholder funds to give relief to electric customers–and until July 31 it is offering certain customers friendlier plans to pay off debt. The Residential Assistance Credit is in response to the highest electricity prices CUB…...
