As we approach winter heating season, gas prices for September remain relatively stable, in contrast to the price spikes of a year ago. There is one glaring exception: an 80 percent jump in price from August for Mt. Carmel, a public utility in southeastern Illinois, to 47.49 cents per therm.…...
CUB asks Illinois consumers to support the Ethics in Energy Act
It’s bad enough that utilities join industry and trade groups that push bad, anti-consumer policy. But it’s even worse that consumers actually foot the bill for those activities. That’s right, our monthly gas and electric bills help cover the utilities’ membership dues to groups that actively work against our interests. …...
August gas prices are relatively low, but it’s always a good time to prepare for winter
Illinois utilities have filed their August gas prices with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and they’re fairly consistent with what we saw in July. Seven utilities reported a slight increase from last month, at most roughly a 22% increase in price for Consumers Gas. We’re relieved that the supply rates…...
Regulators say NO to Peoples, Nicor Gas
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered a $15.4 million refund for Peoples Gas customers and most recently a refund of more than $31 million for Nicor Gas customers, two votes that may signal a tougher stance towards utilities whose rampant spending has helped spark a heating-affordability crisis in Illinois.…...
Disturbing new Peoples Gas filings shine light on mismanagement, stonewalling in troubled pipeline program
New filings with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) reveal a disturbing pattern of mismanagement of the troubled Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program, with the company not answering basic questions about the program and admitting it hasn’t done an overall cost-analysis in nearly a decade. (Read the joint release from Illinois PIRG…...
May gas prices continue decline across the board (well, almost!)
Continuing a promising trend, six of 9 gas utilities lowered their supply rates from April to May–but Peoples Gas, the much-criticized gas utility for Chicago residents, raised their price by 21 percent, according to a CUB review of May pricing information the companies filed with the state. The good news…...
