As the public backlash against data centers escalates across Illinois, newly disclosed records reveal that fees the controversial facilities paid to Commonwealth Edison over the last five years fell billions of dollars short of the total price tag expected to connect them to the electric grid. Public-interest groups warned Thursday…...
Data centers and your electric bills
Power bills are going up across the country, and the surge in data center development is a big reason. These facilities, which house computer systems used for storing, processing, and distributing digital information, use a tremendous amount of electricity–the largest data centers can consume as much energy as a mid-sized…...
Warning: Be careful of high prices connected to municipal aggregation offers
We’ve warned consumers about sales reps trying to use the Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison price spikes as a way to lure people into bad energy deals–but what about another type of electricity choice: “municipal aggregation,” a.k.a. community power deals through your city, town, or county? We reviewed current aggregation…...
CUB joins legislative champions in Springfield to urge passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act
With consumers and the power grid facing unprecedented threats–including price spikes, surging demand sparked by data centers, and poor regional policy–legislative champions joined with consumer advocates on Tuesday to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB2473/HB3779). Please: Act now to protect…...
Update on cases involving ComEd, Ameren Illinois power bills
We wanted to give you an update on electric battles before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). ComEd: As you recall, last December the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rejected the utility’s grid plan and slashed its $1.47 billion rate-hike request by about 65 percent (ICC Docket # 23-0055). However, the company filed a petition…...
Q&A: Electricity Price Spike in Central and Southern Illinois
What’s happening to Ameren customers? Since June 1, 2022, the price for electricity has more than doubled for Ameren customers across Central and Southern Illinois, and that’s expected to cost customers hundreds of dollars in higher power bills over the next year. What is Ameren’s electricity price? As of Jan.…...
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…...
CUB Statement on another CEJA victory: $480 million in tax-related refunds
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is pleased that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved a plan made possible by the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) to deliver $480 million in tax refunds to Illinois electric customers beginning in 2023. At a time of high energy prices across the…...
