As we hold community events across the state of Illinois, people are often surprised to hear that our electric bills cover not only the power we use but the power we could use. That’s capacity. And the cost of capacity–for most customers it’s hidden in the supply charge we pay–has…...
ComEd’s Hourly Pricing: How to calculate the customer capacity charge
Want to know your capacity charge before signing up for ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program? Here’s how to calculate it: 1. Go to this page: https://secure.comed.com/MyAccount/MyService/Pages/UsageDataTool.aspx, choose “View Summary Data Online,” and “Add” the individual’s ComEd account number. 2. Click “View Usage Data” and it’ll take you to a results screen showing vital…...
The clock is ticking: pass CEJA and save our power bills
When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted 2-1 in favor of a proposal pushed by out-of-state power generators, the clock started ticking. The commission’s December 2019 decision overhauls the rules that govern the price we pay for electricity — it would ultimately prop up fossil fuel companies and force consumers…...
Update: CEJA must pass this session, despite COVID-19
CUB’s consumer advocacy work during the Coronavirus emergency includes fighting rate hikes–and that’s why we’re continuing to push for passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act during this spring legislative session. It just can’t wait. CEJA not only puts Illinois on a path to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050,…...
Action can’t wait
A long-awaited ruling by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reward dirty power generators and raise consumers’ power bills has been delayed until at least Nov. 29, and possibly 2020. But while the ruling may be delayed, the need to protect Illinois consumers from bloated bills is not. The General…...
At the Supreme Court: A victory for clean energy
This month, Illinois consumers got good news: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to review appellate court decisions that upheld the right for states to advance clean energy goals through “zero-emission credit” (ZEC) programs in Illinois and New York. On Twitter, CUB called it an “important victory for cost-effective…...
The fight before FERC, explained
What is capacity, and what does it mean for your ComEd bills? An unusual battle is shaping up before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), one that could undermine Illinois’ energy policy and send ComEd bills skyrocketing if out-of-state fossil-fuel generators get their way. Specifically, they want to change the…...
Statement: CUB Executive Director David Kolata on today’s capacity auction results
For the second time in less than a year consumers in the state—first in Central and Southern Illinois and now in Northern Illinois—face significantly higher electric bills because of a flawed power-pricing system. Illinois’ electricity market is not working well for consumers. This price spike is one more red flag…...
- 1
- 2