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CUB Battles

Casework Roundup: A report from CUB’s General Counsel

By Eric DeBellis CUB General Counsel As usual, we’re busy juggling a heavy caseload before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) concerning the state’s biggest utilities: ComEd, Ameren, Peoples Gas, Illinois American and Aqua Illinois. Here’s a summary of where we’re at:  Electric Cases Background: Back in December, the ICC slashed…...

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CUB calls on ICC to reject record rate hike for Peoples Gas after agency official recommends big increase for utility

An administrative law judge for the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has issued a “proposed order” recommending that the ICC approve a record-high $350 million rate hike for Peoples Gas, awarding the company the vast bulk — 87 percent —of the $402 million increase it has sought from regulators.  The recommended…...

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CUB is fighting big rate hikes–so how do these rate cases work? A CUB explainer

CUB’s legal department is fighting a record six utility rate cases before state regulators totaling a whopping $2.9 billion in higher rates for consumers. But what exactly is a rate case and how does it work? Here’s a CUB explainer to help you understand.  Step #1 Utilities file for a…...

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Regulators say NO to Peoples, Nicor Gas

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered a $15.4 million refund for Peoples Gas customers and most recently a refund of more than $31 million for Nicor Gas customers, two votes that may signal a tougher stance towards utilities whose rampant spending has helped spark a heating-affordability crisis in Illinois.…...

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Legal update: CUB testimony on record rate hikes urges $1.6 billion in reductions

By: Eric DeBellis General Counsel CUB’s legal team has been working nonstop the past month, filing expert testimony with state regulators to oppose a record six utility rate hikes, exposing the proposed increases as unjust and unreasonable and urging state regulators to cut them by a combined total of at…...

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CUB testimony recommends $914 million reduction in ComEd rate-hike request

Commonwealth Edison’s proposed four-year electric rate hike should be cut by at least $914.5 million, or more than 60 percent, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Tuesday, citing expert testimony it filed in the rate case. CUB Executive Director David Kolata said the watchdog expects to support additional reductions uncovered by the Illinois…...

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CUB testimony recommends $492 million reduction in Ameren electric hike

Ameren Illinois’ proposed four-year electric rate hike should be slashed by at least $492 million, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) announced Monday, citing expert testimony it filed. “While a utility has to maintain its system, Ameren should not get a blank check,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “Our expert…...

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CUB testimony recommends deep cuts in Ameren gas hike

Ameren Illinois is pushing to raise its profit rate for shareholders to a higher level than any other Illinois utility seeking a rate increase, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) revealed Monday, as it urged regulators to slash the proposal by at least $59.2 million. “Ameren’s push to increase gas bills…...

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CUB testimony: State regulators should slash Nicor Gas’ record rate-hike request

Nicor Gas’ record $321 million rate-hike request includes an excessive profit rate for corporate shareholders and should be slashed by at least $106.5 million, according to expert testimony CUB filed Tuesday. (Read our news release.) “Nicor’s rate-hike request is unjust and unreasonable–it will only be a hardship for customers, and…...

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Urge Springfield To Fight Misleading Marketing

We’re asking you to join the fight against misleading marketing today. House Bill 4281 would prohibit a “non-utility individual, business, or entity” from using “a public utility name or logo, in whole or in part, in any manner to market, solicit, sell or bill for a home (i) insurance, (ii)…...

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