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policy/legislation

CUB’s guy in Springfield thanks consumers for their involvement

By: Bryan McDaniel CUB Director of Governmental Affairs Given all the action on energy legislation in the General Assembly over the last few years, 2023 proved a little quieter, until the end of session when Ameren muscled through a proposal to give themselves a monopoly over transmission lines in their…...

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Bring Back Consumer Choice Plans: Support HB 3689

As part of CUB’s 2023 legislative agenda, the watchdog is working on House Bill 3689 to require AT&T once again to offer the Consumer’s Choice plans as an affordable landline option to consumers.  The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, needs your support. Sign CUB’s HB 3689 petition to…...

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Breaking: Inflation Reduction Act is signed into law

The nation has taken a historic step forward in fighting costly climate change and lowering utility bills through energy efficiency with passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). President Biden signed the IRA into law on Tuesday, August 16, The landmark energy bill passed the U.S. House on Aug. 12…...

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CUB explainer: The Inflation Reduction Act

The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that supporters say would represent the nation’s largest investment in energy efficiency in history, and its biggest and best attempt yet to fight climate change.  The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aims to reduce inflation by increasing corporate tax revenue by closing loopholes and supporting…...

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CUB’s Capitol Report: Fighting rubber-stamped rate hikes, water privatization, and unfair gas charges in Springfield

With Illinois’ new General Assembly taking up business in Springfield amid a pandemic, CUB’s Bryan McDaniel will be busy fighting for consumers on a number of important bills. Help CUB fight for lower utility bills “Fighting for consumer legislation in Springfield is always a challenge because energy, water, and internet…...

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Stop spending abuses by Peoples Gas: Fight for HB 4898

CUB, AARP Illinois and Illinois PIRG this week held a news conference about the mismanagement and spiraling costs associated with a Peoples Gas plan to replace aging pipes underneath the city. How bad is it? An analysis by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan found that if the program isn’t changed…...

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News Release: Proposed State Law Aims to Quash Spending Abuses by Peoples Gas in Bloated Pipe Replacement Program

A new bill pending in the Illinois General Assembly would eliminate the mechanism Peoples Gas has used to bankroll a pipe-replacement program widely decried for its rampantly escalating cost estimates and chronic waste and mismanagement. The proposed measure, championed by AARP Illinois, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), and Illinois PIRG,…...

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CUB Advocacy Item: Tell White House its tariff is bad for solar, bad for consumers

The White House this week announced a 30% tariff on imported solar panels. The tariff reportedly will decrease by 5% over a four-year span, ending at 15% in 2022. This decision will needlessly raise the cost of solar panels, which could stall or kill solar projects that help stabilize the…...

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BREAKING: Trade officials open door for tariff that could be devastating to solar industry

In a 4-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission today opened the door for the White House to impose tariffs that could more than double the cost of the imported solar panels so important to the health of our nation’s solar power industry. The Los Angeles Times reported that the…...

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Urge Congress: Don’t kill net neutrality!

As the fight to protect your Internet rights rages before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee is preparing to hold a hearing on “ground rules for the Internet,” which could  lead to anti-net neutrality laws backed by big Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like…...

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