In the past, we’ve alerted you about White House budget plans that would eliminate strong energy efficiency programs like Energy Star, which since its beginning in 1992 has saved residential and business customers more than $360 billion dollars on their utility bills. That’s why this Earth Month (April), it’s so…...
Free CUB clinic to analyze electric, gas, phone bills in Chicago, show how to cut costs by hundreds of dollars a year
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will analyze utility bills at a free clinic to help Chicago residents save potentially hundreds of dollars a year. Consumers should bring their gas, electric and phone bills for a free, one-on-one consultation with a CUB expert, who will search for ways to lower their…...
The day in the life of a CUB outreach staffer…
By Annabelle Roser As solar energy becomes more accessible to everyday consumers, the financial incentives of owning solar panels can be hard to pass up. The benefits of subsidizing or eliminating your energy bills through net-metering can be especially enticing to retirees or those on fixed incomes. Recently, I met…...
Good news- $17 million ComEd rate cut!
We thank the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for approving a $17.5 million Commonwealth Edison rate cut. This is good news for ComEd customers. While building a more reliable power grid is a major undertaking, ComEd’s customers shouldn’t have to pay a penny more than what the utility can justify. This…...
Like music to her ears : CUB helps violin instructor slash phone bill by $81
Imelda Kaminski, a violin instructor who’s been playing the instrument for 60 years, depended on her home phone service even more after her husband underwent spinal surgery—with all the calls to family, friends and doctors. Her husband’s recovery was her only concern until her AT&T bill arrived. It had soared…...
Cut TV costs with CUB’s free guide
On Tuesday morning, CUB held a news conference to release a first-ever guide to help Illinois consumers cut their TV bills. You can receive a copy of CUB’s Guide to Cutting Your TV Costs—which includes information for both “cord shavers” and “cord cutters”— by visiting www.CUBCableCenter.com. (While you’re there, remember…...
General Assembly passes historic energy efficiency standards
On the last day of the General Assembly’s veto session, legislators passed Senate Bill 2814, a measure that will spark lower utility bills by establishing historic energy efficiency standards for Illinois’ biggest electric utilities. On Thursday evening, the Illinois House passed the measure, also called the “Future Energy Jobs Bill,” 63-38,…...
Statement by CUB Executive Director David Kolata on passage of SB 2814
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is pleased that the Illinois General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 2814, the Future Energy Jobs Bill, and that Gov. Bruce Rauner has now signed the legislation. This is a good day for Illinois electric customers because with this legislation the state’s biggest energy companies…...
South suburban mom scores smart thermostat
Saving energy and money have always been top priorities for Anam El-Jabli and her family. But the purchase of a new air conditioner last year made it hard for them to afford other appliances. Then the stay-at-home mom read about CUB’s Smart Thermostat Giveaway in the group’s weekly e-newsletter. “I’m an active follower…...
