(800) 669-5556

Alternative suppliers

CUB launches free calculator to help you save!

The electric market just ain’t what it used to be. Proof?  A recent ICC report shows that customers with ComEd, the regulated utility, saved $73.4 million more than customers with alternative electric suppliers from May 2014 to May 2015,. That’s a far cry from just two years ago, when consumers saved…...

Read more

Electric competition: Not the money saver it once was

The times are a’changing. When electric competition began in northern Illinois, it seemed like a sure bet for savings.  ComEd’s price at the time was high and electric customers could easily find deals by shopping the market of unregulated suppliers. But the era of easy savings is over, for now, in…...

Read more

Big Mistake: Spark Energy sends erroneous letters to suburban consumers

CUB wants to set the record straight about erroneous information Spark Energy has mailed to some Chicago-area residents. The Journal & Topics Newspapers reported that Buffalo Grove put out a news release about the alternative electricity supplier’s “false aggregation notice.” And Arlington Heights resident and CUB Litigation Director Julie Soderna…...

Read more

$310,800 refund for Nordic Energy customers

Nordic Energy customers have something to celebrate.  Together, the staff of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Attorney General Lisa Madigan and CUB negotiated a $310,800 settlement with the alternative electric supplier to resolve complaints that the company engaged in misleading marketing and unfair sales practices. The settlement requires Nordic to…...

Read more

Good riddance to obnoxious exit fees

In the General Assembly’s spring session, CUB championed the only major energy legislation to get passed—a bill that says sayonara to bad fees. State lawmakers unanimously approved a bill (HB 3766) that would cap exit fees charged by alternative power suppliers. Residential and small-business customers get slapped with these fees when…...

Read more

Exit fee freedom!

Realtor Mark Zipperer enrolled with Liberty Power as the electricity supplier for his office.  When he found a better deal, he cancelled his contract. What should have been a smooth process ended up a nightmare.  Zipperer was slapped with a $900 exit fee for leaving the contract early. Fortunately, Zipperer thought to contact CUB.…...

Read more

CUB helps granddaughter secure $1,286 refund for grandmother

By Samantha Vercellino Ever since her grandmother fell ill, Cheryl  took over the responsibility of paying her utility bills. Handling her affairs never troubled Cheryl until the 97-year old racked up $1,200 in electric and gas charges with the alternative supplier Spark Energy. Concerned her grandmother signed up with Spark…...

Read more

Beware of utility imposters

More than 1,000 consumers have signed CUB’s petition asking legislators to help fight the utility imposter scam. In this awful scam, con artists knock on your door or call you, pretending to be from the regulated utility and demanding quick payment of a bill to avoid a service shut-off. It’s been…...

Read more

4,400+ messages sent by CUB Action Network this month!

By Samantha Vercellino  CUB Action Network members have been on their “A” game in May. Over the last three weeks, they have sent some 4,400 messages to regulators and legislators to reduce rate hikes, save landlines and protect consumers’ rights. The issue at the forefront of most members’ minds appears…...

Read more

Big refund for Major Energy customers

When CUB conducted a review of the worst alternative electric deals in spring of 2014, we smelled something fishy.  For example, we encountered several customers on plans charging up to six times the utility’s rates! And what company were those particular customers with?  Major Energy. Those customer may receive justice this week.…...

Read more