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Making a difference: Future looks sunny for this CUB member

Illinois’ Community Solar program has been a bright spot for one CUB supporter from LaGrange who enjoys supporting clean energy and saving money.  In June 2023, Donna signed up for a Community Solar offer that was 20 percent cheaper than ComEd’s price.   “Signing up for community solar was so simple…...

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Fighting for your rights at the nation’s largest power grid

Our electric bills are affected not just by a local utility, like ComEd or Ameren Illinois, but also by large power grid operators with funny names like “PJM” and “MISO.” That’s why CUB launched a campaign called Consumers for a Better Grid.   The campaign’s mission is to hold grid operators,…...

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Spring into savings with CUB’s energy efficiency tips

It’s time to get your home ready for warmer weather. Remember: Energy efficiency is just as important during the spring and summer as it is during the winter so make sure to include these home maintenance tasks on your spring cleaning checklist:   Air conditioning maintenance. Clean or replace your air…...

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March gas prices reflect an unstable market’s roller coaster ride for consumers

Reflecting the roller coaster nature of the gas market, the March supply rates charged by Illinois’ major gas utilities are marked by a few shocking price swings, including a 92 percent increase for one company compared to a year ago, a CUB review found. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the…...

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AT&T’s response to last week’s nationwide outage

Last week, AT&T’s cellular outage lasted several hours and impacted customers nationwide.  AT&T has come out since then with an apology and reassurance that the outage was a result of “the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyberattack.”  They plan…...

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Clean Energy Advocates Join Healthcare Professionals to Discuss Health Benefits of Electrification for Southern Illinois Families

Environmental advocates will host an online panel of Illinois healthcare professionals to discuss indoor air pollution and children’s health. This topic is of growing interest, as studies link adverse health impacts to burning gas for heating homes and cooking. This free virtual event, which will include a community discussion, is:…...

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CUB analysis: Read alternative supplier offers carefully (and watch for red flags)

Have you received an envelope in the mail that at first glance looks like it could be an urgent message from your utility company? Be careful: It could be another alternative supplier offer.  Such a mailing can be common in Illinois and other states with competitive electricity choice. But here’s…...

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What you need to know about ComEd’s billing change

Note to ComEd customers (3/3/2024): The utility’s switch to a new billing system was rocky, blocking millions of customers from paying their bills online for more than a week and erroneously notifying people they owed $9,999.99. The new billing system was supposed to be working on Feb. 19. On Feb.…...

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Springfield Alert: Your action needed to stop “Right of First Refusal” proposals pushed by electric utilities

Remember last year’s big consumer victory, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed Ameren Illinois’ “Right of First Refusal” proposal? The plan would have needlessly raised costs for electric customers by giving Ameren a monopoly over transmission projects in its territory, and, thus, eliminating a competitive bidding process. It would have been…...

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Illinois Legislators Join the Push for Greater Grid Transparency with HB4747

Legislators from five states are joining together to introduce legislation to increase the transparency of electric utilities’ involvement in PJM, the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). PJM manages the power grid over 13 states and the District of Columbia, from the Midwest to the East Coast. The legislators are from Illinois,…...

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