News from Illinois’ electric market hasn’t been great lately. CUB has seen an uptick in complaints from consumers who have encountered skyrocketing rates (up to six times the rate of the regulated utility!), misleading marketing, confusing offers and unpredictable pricing from alternative suppliers. It’s time to get to the bottom…...
Are you paying what you think for electricity?
ComEd’s June 1 electricity supply rate jumped to about 7.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). But there’s a wrinkle: This month ComEd supply customers are actually only paying a rate of about 7.1 cents per kWh. Wait, huh? The difference is due to a change in the “Purchased Electricity Adjustment” (PEA). That’s a credit…...
Breaking: CUB, City of Chicago call for probe of Illinois electric market
Just four weeks ago, when CUB released a report on Illinois’ electricity market, we warned consumers about bad power deals. Today, CUB and the City of Chicago took another step forward to reform the market. CUB and the City today filed a petition asking the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to launch…...
5 security tips for your cell phone
With maps, music, cameras, web browsing, and email capabilities, owning a cell phone can make you feel pretty invincible. But did you know that your mobile phone can also leave you vulnerable to scary viruses and identity theft? When we think “Internet security,” our thoughts often don’t stray from our…...
Fight the hikes
The utilities are at it again–asking for even more of your hard earned money. ComEd is requesting a $275 million rate hike and Ameren is asking for a $206 million increase. These increases would represent a 12 percent and 29 percent jump in electric rates, respectively. That’s just unacceptable. That’s why we’re…...
5 surprising things you should know about the June rate hike
As of June 1, ComEd’s electricity rate shot up 38 percent, to about 7.596 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). And the prices offered by unregulated power suppliers competing against ComEd are going up too. To paraphrase Dorothy: “Toto, I don’t think we’re in the same electricity market anymore.” Whether you’re with…...
They’ve won $25 off their power bills
Congratulations to John of Millstadt and Michael of Tinley Park for winning $25 off their electric bills after taking CUB’s power price survey! About 1,200 people took the survey, which accompanied an article on the five key questions to ask about utility rate changes taking effect June 1 (ComEd’s rates are jumping…...
