By David Kolata CUB Executive Director This has been a tough year, with skyrocketing energy bills, thanks to volatile natural gas prices and aggressive utility spending. The CUB team needed Illinois consumers in 2022, and you came through for us. Thank you! Please know that our goal every year is…...
Consumer alert: CUB releases tips on surviving expensive winter
With consumers facing higher heating bills this winter due to skyrocketing natural gas prices and aggressive utility spending, CUB released tips to help consumers get through an expensive winter. The watchdog has set up a special online resource, CUBHelpCenter.com, which explains why gas bills are high and offers safety and…...
Making A Difference: Chicago Symphony bassist helps CUB talk up solar power
It was a hot summer day, and Mark Kraemer was promoting Illinois’ community solar program at a farmers market. “Would you be interested in seeing more clean and renewable energy in Illinois?” asked the friendly, soft-spoken CUB volunteer. “No thank you,” said some, hurrying past. One waved her hand and shook her…...
Illinois has lowest average power bills in Midwest for 10th straight year
For the tenth consecutive year, Illinois had the lowest average electricity bills in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Illinois, which at one point had the highest bills in the Midwest, has now had the lowest since 2012. The EIA, the statistical arm of the Department of…...
Natural gas prices ease in November, but they’re still REALLY high
Good news: For the first time in months, we’re seeing a decrease in natural gas prices. Bad news: November’s supply prices–while lower than October–are higher than they were for most utilities in 2021, and they’re about about double to quadruple what they were two years ago, according to filings with…...
Report: Peoples Gas’ pipeline replacement project needs billions more from consumers
The Illinois Attorney General’s office, the City of Chicago and CUB call for the end of a damaging gas surcharge in a new Crain’s Chicago Business analysis that finds the troubled Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program the surcharge helps fund “appears all but certain to exceed” its latest cost estimate by…...
Joint statement from the IL Attorney General’s Office, the City of Chicago and CUB on the Peoples Gas System Modernization Plan
This is a joint statement from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the City of Chicago and CUB for a Crain’s Chicago Business report that showed the Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program is on track to be billions of dollars over-budget and years behind schedule. Together, we have spent years pushing the Illinois Commerce…...
City of Chicago announces new building electrification plan
Chicago recently announced its building electrification plan to reduce emissions in the nation’s third-largest city, where nearly 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. The report recommends moving to electric heat of buildings over the next 20 years. First, it would change the City’s building codes to phase…...
