CUB travels across Illinois, and we find that almost everyone supports energy efficiency—because it’s THE BEST WAY to lower utility bills. That’s why we’re asking you to send a message to Congress and the White House to protect efficiency. We were concerned a month ago when the American Council for an Energy-Efficient…...
ICC votes to extend investigation of Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program
Read CUB’s statement about today’s Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) vote to extend an investigation into the horribly managed Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program. Also, send a message to the ICC, thanking it for this development and urging it to hold the utility accountable. CUB Statement Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)…...
What should you ask when considering an alternative electric supplier?
If you’re looking into signing up with an alternative electric supplier, make sure to look at this checklist before you put your name on the dotted line. For more information, including a complete list of current alternative supplier rates, get CUB’s no-cost “Guide to Avoiding Electric Rip-offs” emailed to you....
Reminder: The sign-up deadline for Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards is March 1!
It’s the last day for Ameren Illinois customers with new advanced electric meters to sign up for a no-cost program that rewards them with bill credits for delaying heavy power usage on certain days. To sign up for Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards program, visit PeakTimeRewards.com or call 1-844-787-7874. Qualifying customers who…...
Check your Comcast bill: Are you paying a “digital adapter” fee?
Every cable bill these days has add-on fees that allow companies to raise your bills without increasing the advertised rate of your TV package. For Comcast customers, one of those charges, called the “digital adapter” fee, has increased in 2017—from $3.99/month to $5.99/month. So, what is the fee supposed to…...
Fight electric price-gouging: Support HB 3038
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) needs your help urging state legislators to pass a bill that shady electric suppliers don’t want. This bill combats a major problem in Illinois: electricity suppliers that price-gouge customers with bad deals. (We’ve seen customers paying up to five times the utility rate—sad.) The bill,…...
CUB featured on CBS 2
CUB was featured on Chicago’s CBS 2 last night warning consumers in ComEd territory that they could see a marketing barrage from alternative electricity suppliers over the next year. The consumer watchdog told reporter Dorothy Tucker that more than 100 communities have contracts with alternative electricity suppliers expiring over the next six…...
Show some love for landlines
The largest provider of telephone service in America will break the hearts of millions of Illinoisans if its plan to kill traditional home phone service is approved by state legislators. This year the Illinois Telecommunications Act—important legislation that protects consumer rights—is up for review, and AT&T wants its dismantled. The…...
Hot tip: ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program might be right for you!
More than a million Illinois consumers are with alternative suppliers, but CUB would like to alert people to yet another choice: Commonwealth Edison’s Hourly Pricing program. The program lets customers take advantage of hourly market-based electricity rates, which tend to be lower during nights and weekends. While not for everyone, thousands of…...