BREAKING: The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) today issued final orders on proposed gas rate hikes by Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, Ameren Illinois and North Shore Gas. Let me be clear: The utilities did receive rate hikes. While we don’t like to see bills go up a penny at the hands…...
After a successful summer program, CUB partnership launches Fall Solar Switch program
A unique partnership among five Chicagoland counties, nonprofit advocates and expert solar professionals will educate consumers on how they can install solar panels at some of the deepest discounts in the state, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), Illinois’ top utility watchdog, said as the program launched its Fall program. The…...
CUB Explainer: What is a solar group-buy program?
For the last few years, CUB has helped organize a “solar group-buy program” in the Chicago region–now called “Switch Together”–and these programs have helped save participants hundreds of dollars a year on their utility bills, according to CUB’s partner in the program, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Today we’re backing…...
Joint Release: Event to Discuss Tri-Cities’ “Coal Problem” and How Residents Can Work To Secure Cleaner, Cheaper and More Reliable Electricity
Residents of the Tri-Cities region–St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia–are invited to join an educational and solutions-based discussion on how their communities have lacked access to the benefits of clean energy because they are locked into buying most of their power from coal-fired generation. Read the PDF version of this release…...
Joint release: Advocates urge Chicago City Council members to oppose record Peoples Gas rate-hike proposal as decision by state regulators looms
With Peoples Gas customers already reeling from a heating-bill crisis that has inflicted its harshest impacts on Black and Brown families, members of the ChicagoCity Council can support their constituents by urging state regulators to reject the utility’s pending bid for a record rate hike, consumer advocates told members of…...
Huntley resident wins energy-awareness quiz giveaway
Congratulations to George of Huntley for winning CUB’s Energy Awareness Quiz giveaway! He was randomly selected out of hundreds of participants to win $100. Thanks to George and everyone who took the challenge. For more information about energy efficiency and tips, go to CUB’s Clean Energy page. Here are the…...
CUB’s money-saving events in November
It’s hard to believe it’s November already! As the year winds down, it’s time to make your final winter efficiency improvements and start planning your home energy upgrades for 2024. Below are free events CUB and partner organizations are holding this month. 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1: UBC…...
November gas prices way down from last year (with hints of market volatility)
November gas prices continue the trend of being significantly lower than last winter–by a range of 25 to 66 percent. But once again there are some examples of the roller-coaster volatility of the gas market. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce…...
