As shopping for electricity suppliers becomes more expensive in Illinois, energy efficiency programs have emerged as the most reliable way to cut utility bills , according to a new CUB report. CUB held a press conference today to announce the findings: Energy efficiency has replaced electric competition as Illinois’ best bet for savings. …...
Exelon proposes surcharge that would jack up ComEd, Ameren bills by an estimated $300 million/year
For more than a year now, we’ve been hearing rumblings that ComEd-parent Exelon would push for some type of legislation that would boost revenue for its fleet of nuclear plants. Now, Illinois’ largest energy company has gone public. As Crain’s Chicago Business reported earlier this week, the giant wants to…...
Keeping up with $1.6 billion in Illinois rate-hike battles
Consumer wallets took a big hit in January, with four utility rate increases–and a new $53 million natural gas rate-hike request. On Jan. 1, ComEd and Ameren were awarded a combined electric rate increase of $436 million (about $232 million for ComEd and $204 for Ameren). CUB filed a “petition for…...
“Now is the time for Time-of-Use pricing”
Today, CUB and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) urged ComEd and Ameren to offer optional “Time-of-Use” pricing plans in Illinois. Such plans would reward energy-efficient customers for shifting electricity use away from “peak” hours–when demand is high, prices skyrocket, and power plants produce the most pollution. These plans would not only save individual…...
Coalition: Improved efficiency, renewable energy standards could spark 30,000 jobs a year
For years, CUB has been saying that efficiency and renewable energy are good for our economy. Today, we’ve got numbers to back it up. At a news conference this morning, 55 business, environmental, labor and consumer advocacy leaders (including CUB Executive Director David Kolata) announced the formation of the Illinois…...
Congrats to CUB’s Love to Save Winner!
By Samantha Vercellino Congratulations, Pedro of Mount Prospect who beat out 274 consumers to win $100 off his utility bill AND a $50 Amazon gift card for practicing energy efficiency. Last week, Pedro and other consumers entered our energy efficiency contest. To qualify for the drawing, they had to join…...
Consumer Alert: Highest prices in the Illinois electric market
The Illinois electric market can be confusing (and expensive!) but CUB is here to help. We reviewed more than 100 individual offers from alternative electric suppliers across Illinois and we want to warn you about the highest prices we found. Some of these rates about double that of the regulated utility! In ComEd territory,…...
Energy saving tips to eat up this Thanksgiving
By Samantha Vercellino Thanksgiving is fast approaching and many Americans are gearing up to cook a traditional holiday feast that will leave family and friends in a food coma. But gathering around the table can be a pricey affair, especially when total U.S. spending on Thanksgiving dinner is $2.4 billion. So, before heading…...
