By Samantha Vercellino In 2013, Peoples Gas notified G. Droba of its plans to move his gas meter from the basement to the outside of his house. The Mount Greenwood resident didn’t mind—until his basement suffered severe water damage. During the switch, he said a pipe was jarred loose from…...
Energy Efficiency: the Road to Savings
With the release of the federal Clean Power Plan (CPP) to reduce carbon emissions 32 percent nationally by 2030, the country is abuzz with energy efficiency talk. We all know that practicing energy efficiency is an important step to reducing harmful pollution, but did you also know these three facts? 1.) Energy efficiency…...
At it again…
Apparently, Sperian Energy has taken the expression, “When the cat’s away, the mouse will play” to heart. After a history of concerns with Sperian Energy, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) last week launched a formal investigation of the alternative electric supplier for its allegedly deceptive and misleading marketing practices. After receiving…...
The time is ripe for the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill
History was made earlier this week when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions by nearly one-third by 2030. Today in Chicago, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (of which…...
Tell phone companies: Protect me from robocalls!
Sick of annoying telemarketing calls? We hear you. New call-blocking technology could stop robocallers from harassing you—but we still have to convince major phone companies to get on board and offer the services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently clarified rules and gave telephone companies the green light to offer…...
Historic Moment: EPA unveils Clean Power Plan
Today marks a historic moment, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its long-anticipated Clean Power Plan—the most ambitious action of its kind to combat climate change and promote energy efficiency across the country. The plan’s nationwide goal is to help cut carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent by 2030.…...
Smart Grid History: IL’s First Peak Time Savings Hours ever!
When Judy Cashen got the call from ComEd last Thursday morning announcing the summer’s first Peak Time Savings Hours, she jumped into action. The retiree, who lives in Chicago’s Pullman Historic District, turned off her air conditioning unit in order to earn credit back on her bill for cutting energy…...
Peoples Gas in the hot seat
It looks like we’re going to get some answers on Peoples Gas’ disastrous and costly pipeline replacement program— just as new estimates reveal projected costs for the program have ballooned to more than $8 billion (nearly four times the original estimate!). Chicago’s 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly introduced a resolution in today’s…...
A big change for Chicagoans… and a free tool to help
Beginning in August, more than 600,000 Chicago households will switch from the City’s municipal power deal with Constellation Energy back to ComEd, marking the end of the largest deal of its kind in the country. With the mass exodus of customers, Chicago residents need to be on high alert. The big…...
CUB launches free calculator to help you save!
The electric market just ain’t what it used to be. Proof? A recent ICC report shows that customers with ComEd, the regulated utility, saved $73.4 million more than customers with alternative electric suppliers from May 2014 to May 2015,. That’s a far cry from just two years ago, when consumers saved…...
