The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) held five public forums on proposals by the state’s two biggest private water companies to raise bills by up to nearly $30 a month, and the events reinforced something that CUB has known for years: Private water customers are fed up with rapidly escalating water…...
Breaking: PJM committee vote strong step toward clean, affordable energy future
In a strong step forward for affordable, reliable and clean energy, a committee at the nation’s largest power grid operator on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to begin a discussion on how to design and evaluate cost-effective alternatives to running expensive, polluting power plants past their desired close date. PJM manages the…...
Consumer advocates attend Bolingbrook public forum to speak out against Illinois American Water’s $152 million rate-hike request
AARP Illinois and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Monday urged state regulators to reject Illinois American Water’s proposed $152 million rate-hike request at an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) public forum in Bolingbrook. The increase would be Illinois American’s third rate hike since 2016. (Read the full news release here.)…...
News Release: Groups launch city-wide campaign to engage Chicagoans on Peoples Gas pipe replacement investigation
CHICAGO – A coalition of consumer, environmental and environmental justice organizations gathered outside Peoples Gas headquarters today to announce an intensive grassroots campaign to educate and engage thousands of Chicagoans on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) investigation into the troubled Peoples Gas pipe replacement program. (Read the full news release…...
News release: CUB, Chicagoland counties partner to offer “Solar Switch” program to secure rooftop solar discounts, lower power bills for participants
The consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is working with five Chicagoland counties, renewable energy advocates and solar professionals to offer a program that can help homeowners install solar panels at a significant discount and reduce their electric bills by hundreds of dollars, CUB announced Thursday. The Solar Switch program…...
CUB Q&A: What’s happening to solar power in Illinois in 2025?
A solar benefit called “net metering” is NOT going away in 2025, but it is changing, under state law. What is net metering? Net metering is a benefit for solar users. Under Illinois law, investor-owned utilities (ComEd, Ameren, MidAmerican) are required to offer net metering for renewable energy generation…...
CUB’s monthly report on gas volatility: July 2024
Most gas utilities are charging higher supply prices, compared with last month and last year, according to CUB’s review of pricing information filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the ICC. Here’s a rundown of what we found.…...
