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CUB Action Center: Tell legislators to support SB 2814 – A bill that boosts money-saving energy efficiency

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Reasons to Support Senate Bill 2814

  • SB 2814 WILL LOWER UTILITY BILLS

This legislation will save consumers money.  That’s the bottom line.  CUB has combed through the bill and performed a meticulous analysis of every provision in the legislation.  When all of the costs and benefits are added up, we estimate that SB 2814 will save ComEd customers an average of $15 annually.  That’s not a fortune, but it’s a reduction in costs – and that’s reason enough to support this bill.

How is this savings possible?  Because the bill will require Illinois utilities to dramatically increase investments in money-saving energy efficiency. By curbing the amount of power our households consume, efficiency lowers our costs. In fact, the state’s existing energy efficiency programs are the foremost reason why Illinois has the lowest electricity bills in the Midwest.  This bill will redouble those investments, yielding an estimated $4 billion in energy costs saved over its lifetime.

  • WITHOUT SB 2814, CONSUMERS WOULD FORFEIT THE SAVINGS AND STILL HAVE TO PAY HIGHER UTILITY BILLS

Without this legislation, two existing power plants in Illinois would be destined to close, eliminating about 1,500 jobs that fuel the central and western Illinois economies.  Once those plants close, consumers would pay higher prices to replace the electricity they generated – but they wouldn’t reap any of the offsetting savings unleashed by the legislation.

  • WHILE SOME OPPONENTS TALK “BAILOUT,” SB 2814 DELIVERS A PAYOUT FOR CONSUMERS

While energy efficiency is good for consumers, some big energy providers don’t like it because it shrinks their profits.  So they’ve been griping about how the legislation is a “bailout” for Exelon’s nuclear plants. But the fact is, even with financial assistance for the nuclear plants, this legislation will produce a net savings for consumers.

Meanwhile, if these big energy companies get their way and defeat the bill, Illinois electricity rates will increase due to the closure of the nuclear plants and consumers will lose the opportunity for even greater savings.

How to Take Action

1) Send a message to your legislators. (We’ve sent thousands of messages, but if you haven’t taken action you should now!)

2) Call your State Sen + Rep! Click here to find them.

Script: “My name’s _____ and I’m a voter in your district. I’m calling to ask that Sen/Rep ____ push for strong energy efficiency standards for ALL of Illinois in any energy legislation in Springfield. Efficiency is crucial to lowering utility bills for seniors, families and businesses.”

3) Call the Governor:

Springfield: 2177820244

Chicago: 3128142121

Script: “My name’s _____ and I’m an Illinois voter. I’m calling to ask that Gov. Rauner push for strong energy efficiency standards for ALL of Illinois in any energy legislation in Springfield. Efficiency is crucial to lowering utility bills for seniors, families and businesses.”