By Samantha Vercellino Richard Carlson is more than conscious of his home energy use. The Chicago resident, who owns a studio apartment, takes care in turning off the lights before work and using his air conditioner only on the hottest days. It is because of his commitment to being energy…...
So what the heck is a green plan?
Crain’s Chicago Business has shined a spotlight on a “green” plan offered by Ethical Electric, which has been CUB’s biggest source of questions this year among dozens of alternative electric and gas suppliers. A direct mail piece by Ethical is short on detail on the plan’s actual cost, and how it…...
Julie’s report: Big ICC developments against bad power marketing
Today, CUB sent out an alert from Litigation Director Julie Soderna about two big developments in the battle to clean up Illinois’ competitive electricity market. The consumer watchdog is asking everyone to send a message to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), urging regulators: Don’t stop now! Here’s what’s happened…. Sperian…...
Big Exelon announcement opens the door for Illinois Clean Jobs Bill
Ending months of speculation about the fate of its Quad Cities and Byron nuclear power plants, ComEd-parent Exelon announced today that it would put off a decision about those plants for another year. As consumers brace for higher power bills due to recent electricity auctions, this development provides a unique opportunity to…...
Money-saving programs to brag about
By Samantha Vercellino Thanks to efficiency programs offered by Illinois’ major utilities saving energy—and money— is easier than ever before. CUB chose five of its favorite energy efficiency programs from across Illinois. (See them below in no particular order.) ComEd’s Lighting Discounts Lighten your utility woes by switching to newer energy-saving…...
CUBPowerCalculator.com: Go ahead…try it again!
A new season means new electric rates. That’s why we’ve updated our free calculator to reflect fall electric prices coming to Illinois. The CUB Power Calculator—a tool that shows how your utility’s supply rates stack up against an alternative supplier’s plan— can now provide a price comparison through May 2016.…...
Price Spike! Send a message to regulators today
Just a few days ago we found out that a recent electricity auction could increase power bills for typical Northern Illinois households by more than $80 in 2018-2019. After a similar auction sparked a 30 percent increase in power prices for Central and Southern Illinois earlier this summer, CUB warned…...
Higher electric bills again?
Here we go again. For the second time in less than a year Illinois consumers—first in Central and Southern Illinois and now in Northern Illinois—face significantly higher electric bills because of a flawed power-pricing system. And while electric customers will take the hit, big power generators like Exelon, NRG and…...
“It kind of broke my heart.”
James Crawford needs his electricity. The 61-year-old lifelong Hartford resident depends on an oxygen machine to assist with his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition that can make it hard to breathe. As a person suffering from several medical conditions while on a fixed income, Crawford also depended on the Percentage of Income…...
