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Electric

The time is now for electric cooperatives to empower rural Illinois communities

Co-Authors: Amanda Pankau, Prairie Rivers Network, Christine Nannicelli, Sierra Club Illinois, and Scott Allen, Citizens Utility Board The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has dramatically transformed the energy landscape for publicly owned electric cooperatives and municipal utilities across the country, offering game-changing access to clean energy tax credits…...

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Ameren gets bad measure passed in General Assembly–but Guv says he will veto

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will veto a rate-hike proposal that Ameren Illinois got passed on the last day of the General Assembly’s spring 2023 session. Big thank you to hundreds of CUB supporters who sent messages to their legislators opposing Amendment 4 to House Bill 3445. In an emergency…...

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Getting ready for Spring? Tips on keeping your utility bills low

As you do some spring cleaning, remember that a few easy swaps can help you maximize your energy efficiency. These tips are easy and effective at preventing higher-than-average utility bills, while also being good for the planet.  Here are some of CUB’s top tips for keeping your power bill to…...

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Solar group buy program helps 76 properties go solar  ($71,000 in potential first-year savings)

A special program that CUB works on ended 2022 with 76 properties contracted to install solar panels in the coming months–a potential total savings of more than $71,000 for participants in the first year alone. After a year of elevated global energy costs, these Chicago-area residents are moving toward renewable…...

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ICC orders $38 million ComEd scandal refund – a step forward, but not enough

After an investigation sparked by the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered scandal-plagued ComEd to give customers a $38 million refund. But CUB says it’s not enough. “A ($38 million refund) only partially compensates customers for ComEd’s misconduct — people deserve better in…...

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Alert: CUB urges struggling consumers to call their utilities before key protections expire July 31

Amid high energy prices, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is urging consumers who are struggling to pay their utility bills to call their utilities immediately to learn about protections available to stay connected to service. Some of those safeguards expire July 31. “It’s been a rough year for utility customers,…...

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UPDATE: CEJA helps secure big tax-related refunds for ComEd, Ameren customers

Update: On July 7th, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved a schedule for hundreds of millions of dollars in tax refunds for ComEd and Ameren customers. The refunds will begin to flow back to consumers through their power bills in 2023. This is an update to the blog below, which…...

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CUB Statement on $199 Million ComEd Rate-Hike Request

This is the statement CUB released on Friday, April 15: This is bad news for Illinois consumers who are coming off the most expensive winter heating season in more than decade, and it’s why we’re working to build a more consumer-friendly rate-setting system in Illinois. CUB will review ComEd’s rate-hike…...

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UN report: Climate disasters are likely to get worse–we must act now

With increasingly cold winters and hotter summers, Illinois consumers face the prospect of higher and higher gas and electric bills. It’s likely to get worse, according to the latest climate report by the United Nations, but we still have time to act.  The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change…...

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Struggling with your bills? Take these three actions

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bills during this expensive winter, you’re not alone. CUB has some guidance on what steps to take. 1) Call Your Utility. As the utility company is the entity issuing the bill and the only entity with access to your account, your first call—no…...

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