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icc

At it again…

Apparently, Sperian Energy has taken the expression, “When the cat’s away, the mouse will play” to heart. After a history of concerns with Sperian Energy, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) last week launched a formal investigation of the alternative electric supplier for its allegedly deceptive and misleading marketing practices. After receiving…...

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Electric competition: Not the money saver it once was

The times are a’changing. When electric competition began in northern Illinois, it seemed like a sure bet for savings.  ComEd’s price at the time was high and electric customers could easily find deals by shopping the market of unregulated suppliers. But the era of easy savings is over, for now, in…...

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$310,800 refund for Nordic Energy customers

Nordic Energy customers have something to celebrate.  Together, the staff of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Attorney General Lisa Madigan and CUB negotiated a $310,800 settlement with the alternative electric supplier to resolve complaints that the company engaged in misleading marketing and unfair sales practices. The settlement requires Nordic to…...

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ICC approves Wisconsin Energy merger

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) voted 4-1 to approve a $5.7 billion merger between Wisconsin Energy and Integrys Energy Group, Peoples Gas’ parent company. CUB had hoped to see the ICC attach stronger pro-consumer conditions to the merger—especially in light of a Peoples Gas pipeline replacement program that is costing consumers…...

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“A complete disaster”: The Peoples’ pipeline replacement program

A new report shows that a Peoples Gas pipeline replacement program has so far been full of hot air— and not much else! A recently released audit reveals Peoples’ multi-billion-dollar project to replace the City’s aging pipeline infrastructure has been plagued by mismanagement, inadequate quality controls, and faulty reporting and analysis. Consider this damning fact:…...

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Big refund for Major Energy customers

When CUB conducted a review of the worst alternative electric deals in spring of 2014, we smelled something fishy.  For example, we encountered several customers on plans charging up to six times the utility’s rates! And what company were those particular customers with?  Major Energy. Those customer may receive justice this week.…...

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Attorney General: Pump the brakes on Peoples pipeline project

In light of ballooning costs and allegations of mismanagement, Attorney General Madigan is asking Peoples Gas to back down from a pledge to complete its massive pipeline replacement project by 2030. In a brief filed March 27 with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Madigan said that Peoples’ project has fallen seriously behind schedule…...

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ICC to launch Peoples investigation

Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) announced plans to investigate an expensive Peoples Gas’ pipe replacement program. Projected costs for the program have reportedly ballooned to $4.6 billion over the past five years and could cause YOUR rates to double in the next decade. CUB wants to thank the ICC for taking a stand…...

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“Now is the time for Time-of-Use pricing”

Today, CUB and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) urged ComEd and Ameren to offer optional “Time-of-Use” pricing plans in Illinois.  Such plans would reward energy-efficient customers for shifting electricity use away from “peak” hours–when demand is high, prices skyrocket, and power plants produce the most pollution.  These plans would not only save individual…...

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Déjà vu: Rate-hike edition

Ameren’s had $90 million in rate hikes since 2008, and now it wants more. In late January, Ameren Illinois filed for a $53 million natural gas rate hike, including  a return on equity (profit rate for shareholders) of more than 10 percent.  This is the same Ameren whose parent company earned more…...

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