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CUB in your neighborhood: April events

April is a busy month for CUB’s Outreach team: As part of our 35th Anniversary Clean Bill Campaign, we’re aiming to staff at least 500 events in 2019. The campaign’s goal is to clean utility bills of bad deals and wasteful spending, and to educate people about opportunities with clean…...

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Earth Day Giveaway and More

Earth Day Giveaway To celebrate Earth Day (April 22), CUB is giving away a smart thermostat! For the entire month of April, you can enter to win a free Nest or Ecobee smart thermostat. We will announce a winner on May 1. Find out more here! Also… CEJA moves forward…...

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How electric vehicles could cut your power bill, even if you don’t drive

The surging popularity of electric vehicles on American roads could actually lower power bills for all electric consumers, even those who don’t own cars, a new CUB study found. The key is for policymakers to adopt key measures necessary to manage how EVs get charged. The study, Charging Ahead: Deriving…...

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Why we need a Clean Energy Jobs Act

By David Kolata, CUB Executive Director (Update: Since this column was written, the House Energy and Environment Committee voted to advance the Clean Energy Jobs Act, sponsored by State Rep. Ann Williams and State Sen. Cristina Castro [House Bill 3624/Senate Bill 2132]. The bill awaits a committee vote in the…...

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No such thing as free solar panels (but they can be affordable!)

CLAIM: You can get free solar panels installed on your roof! FACT: Some companies offer solar panel installation for no money down, but it’s not exactly free—you’ll be renting the panels, monthly, for the term of the lease, which is usually 20 years. CUB RECOMMENDS: Explore all of your options.…...

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March update: A message from CUB Executive Director David Kolata

We’re tackling big problems, and it’s easy to get discouraged. But I want you to know your support and activism are making a difference in this world. Thank you! More people are hearing our message. Over the last month, we’ve sent about 5,000 emails to the General Assembly. You’ve fought…...

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Cool features on ComEd’s website to help you save

Don’t just pay your bill online and log off: Take advantage of ComEd’s site, which has features to help you save on your electric bills and become more energy efficient. Energy Doctor. Energy efficiency is one of the best ways to reduce your electric bill. You can send a question to…...

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Tips to make the most of ComEd’s Hourly Pricing

With ComEd’s Hourly Pricing, a program that charges the hourly market rate for electricity instead of the standard fixed rate, you could see average savings of 15 percent on the supply portion of your electric bill by shifting your energy-usage to hours when power prices drop (like nights and weekends).…...

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In 35 years of consumer advocacy, this is one of the highest gas rates CUB has ever seen

Dale Fiene has his gas bill set to autopay, so he doesn’t usually look at it too closely—until January, that is, when his gas bill soared to more than $440. By the time he got his most recent bill this March, he saw that his gas supplier was listed as…...

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How much does your phantom load affect your electric bill?

Phantom load–sometimes called “vampire power”–refers to home appliances still using energy even after you turn them off. So what impact does that have on your electric bill? About 10 percent of your energy costs come from wasted power. The National Resources Defense Council found phantom loads account for $19 billion…...

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