Summer is around the corner, bringing with it warm days, sunshine, flowers, and…new electric rates. ComEd customers can breathe a little easier starting June 1, as the utility’s price to compare will drop to 7.04¢/kWh through Sept. 30. That’s a decrease of about 7 percent from the current rate (7.572¢/kWh). Ameren…...
Breaking: Stage is set for a Supreme Court showdown over your electric bills
Today, we have good news for energy efficiency— and your future power bills. The Supreme Court announced that it will review a 2014 Appellate Court decision that stripped the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) of its authority to promote, regulate and help develop “demand-response” programs in the energy market. Demand response refers to programs…...
Editorial roundup: the battle to protect electric customers in Springfield
Springfield is abuzz with two very different pieces of energy legislation, one that could help electric customers and another that could hurt them. One is the Illinois Clean Jobs bill (House Bill 2607/Senate Bill 1485), which would increase energy efficiency and renewable energy standards in Illinois. A CUB analysis found that the…...
Scam Alert
Utility-related issues, telecommunications complaints, identity theft and fraud all made Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s top 10 list of consumer concerns. With new scams creeping up every day, read CUB’s list of cons and rip-offs so you can protect yourself. Let us know if you have heard of these scams,…...
Chicagoans return to ComEd this fall
The City of Chicago has decided to end its two-year power deal with Integrys Energy Services—the largest of its kind in the country—after determining that residents would no longer save on their electric bills. Customers will return to ComEd, the regulated utility, starting September 2015. The City’s deal expires in May 2015, but…...
Mythbusters: Energy Efficiency Edition
Earth Day reminds us that we can all go a little greener in our day-to-day lives. But first we need to dispel a few tall tales about energy use. That’s why we’re presenting you with a little Mythbusters: Energy Efficiency Edition. 1.) MYTH: Turning off electronics means they’re not using energy FACT: Electronics are…...
Utilities stand in the way of money-saving pricing plans
If there was a program that could reduce demand on the power grid AND lower your electric bills AND cut harmful pollution, you would think that was a pretty good plan, right? The big electric companies disagree. CUB recently asked state regulators to explore the idea of ComEd and Ameren offering an optional…...
