After reading CUB’s quarterly publication The CUB Voice, Stillman Valley resident Terry Temple realized he was paying way too much for his electric and gas service, and he did something about it. The retired marketing director for GE Aviation Systems came upon a full-page article headlined “Paying too much for…...
Breaking: ComEd and Ameren have new power prices
As of Oct. 1, ComEd and Ameren Illinois are charging new electricity prices. ComEd: 6.388¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh) Ameren: 6.514¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the first 800 kWh used; 4.776¢/kWh for usage over 800 kWh Why is it important to know this? Because the prices above are what you compare to any alternative supplier offer that is…...
Big ICC ruling for electric shoppers
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) took a big step in improving the power market, proposing new rules to protect consumers against misleading marketing. CUB and other consumer advocates applaud the new rules. For about two years, we have been calling for tougher rules to prevent misleading and confusing marketing by…...
Q&A: The Attorney General’s Settlement with Ethical Electric
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has reached a settlement with a Washington, D.C.-based alternative electricity supplier, Ethical Electric Inc., for misleading direct mail solicitations of its “green” offers. Under the settlement, Ethical, which has been a top source of consumer questions or complaints to CUB, promises to pay customers refunds.…...
ICC report: Northern Illinoisans losing money with alternative electric suppliers
By Sagar Dommaraju Northern Illinois consumers with alternative electricity suppliers have lost $188.6 million over the last two years, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in an annual electric competition report. The ICC’s Office of Retail Market Development said in its annual report that Illinois consumers with another supplier lost…...
Join CUB’s fight for consumer protections from electric rip-offs!
As the weather gets warmer, CUB handles more reports of shady electricity sales pitches. But now, door-to-door peddlers have reached a new low. Earlier this summer, two people were arrested for trespassing after going door-to-door and trying to get residents of a Chicago apartment building to switch power suppliers. “Finally,” one customer…...
Big victory over consumer confusion
Nicor Advanced Energy—an unregulated gas supplier that has sparked complaints from confused customers whose gas bills went up—will change its name and logo, under a settlement hailed as a consumer victory by Attorney General Lisa Madigan and CUB. The settlement is part of Atlanta-based Southern Co.’s proposed buyout of Nicor…...
