It’s been quite a few months for CUB’s Eric DeBellis. Not only did he become a new dad, but he’s also challenging an unprecedented $2.9 billion in utility rate-hike requests as CUB’s new general counsel. “The work we do at CUB matters because millions of Illinoisans pay utility companies billions of…...
A guide to energy efficiency programs for income-qualified households
By Kate Shonk Sustainable Communities Liason Facing high energy prices and the rising cost of living, many consumers want to cut down on their monthly utility bills. In Illinois, consumers have access to energy efficiency programs offered by utility companies–including ones for income-qualified households. The programs designed for lower-income customers…...
IGS: CUB’s evaluation of a new community solar offer
This is an evaluation of IGS Energy’s community solar offering. (If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading our Introduction to Community Solar factsheet first.) How will signing up for the IGS Energy community solar offer affect my electric bill? IGS Energy will look at your…...
February continues trend of lower gas prices–but they’re still higher than 2021
Some good news: Gas prices for February continue the downward trend we’ve been seeing the last few months. Plus, recently the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the U.S. Energy Department, eased its prediction on how much more Midwest natural gas customers could pay on average this winter–from 29…...
CUB analysis connects high power bills to dependence on fossil fuels
In a nationwide analysis of 2020 and 2021 data reported by electric utilities, CUB found that the country’s most expensive power bills tend to be concentrated in states with the largest share of energy harnessed from coal, oil and natural gas. Consumers in the northeastern and southeastern regions of the…...
‘Rate-hike barrage’: Illinois utilities launch unprecedented campaign to raise rates by a combined total of $2.9 billion
CUB’s legal team faces an unprecedented challenge, as five of Illinois’ major utilities are asking for delivery rate hikes totaling $2.9 billion. Illinois consumers know how important this fight is–with the rising cost of living due to inflation, many of them face hard decisions. Nearly 34% of American households reduced…...
