Today, CUB kicks off its month-long Chicago Action Campaign to raise awareness that the utilities are trying to increase your rates by up to $10 billion.
We always like to hear from you, so we’re starting the campaign by asking: What utility battle is most important to you?
Of course, we’re fighting a lot of battles at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and in Springfield—but the ones you see here are the biggest pocketbook issues facing Illinois utility customers today. Vote on the one you most want to speak out against.
Bonus: Vote by midnight Sunday, and you could win a special CUB gift—$100 off your next utility bill.
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Battle: $96 million Commonwealth Edison rate hike
Notes: ComEd’s fifth rate-hike request in six years would increase bills by about $1 a month beginning in January 2018 to pay for high-tech upgrades. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will rule on the case in December.
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Battle: $208.5 million Nicor Gas rate hike
Notes: The largest gas rate hike CUB has ever seen would increase bills by about $4.79 a month. The ICC will rule on the case in February 2018.
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Battle: $16.3 million Ameren Illinois rate cut
Notes: This is the company’s proposal for its delivery rates, which are set under a formula approved by the General Assembly to pay for high-tech upgrades to the power grid. Ameren’s proposed cut means its revenue has caught up with the cost of the upgrades. The decrease would save customers about $1.70 a month, but CUB’s legal team is analyzing Ameren’s proposal to see if it can secure a bigger decrease. An ICC decision is due in December.
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Battle: Mismanaged Peoples Gas pipe-replacement project
Notes: Chicago gas customers could be on the hook for $8 billion to $10 billion in costs for the project. Consumer advocates like CUB and Attorney General Lisa Madigan have been fighting to reform the program to prevent unnecessary or wasteful spending. Recently, the company proposed spending more money than it ever has—$300 million a year.
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Don’t forget to check CUB’s Facebook page for the results of the poll after it ends!
