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rates

10 burning questions (and answers) about the 2023 rate-hike barrage

As CUB and other consumer advocates challenge a record $3.7 billion in utility rate-hike requests, here are 10 things you should know about the rate hikes. 1) How much are the utilities asking for?  The rate hikes would impact more than 5 million customers across Illinois. The chart below shows…...

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New electric rates for ComEd and Ameren customers in 2023

As of Jan. 1, ComEd and Ameren are charging new electricity rates. Here’s our breakdown:  DELIVERY RATES What are delivery rates?  Electric bills have two parts: delivery and supply. All of us pay delivery rates to cover the utilities’ costs of sending electricity over their wires to our homes–plus a…...

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Q&A on the ComEd and Ameren Formula Rates for 2021 

What happened?  On Wednesday, Dec. 9, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved delivery rate cuts for Ameren Illinois and ComEd customers. The ICC voted to give ComEd a delivery rate decrease of about $14 million.  The state regulatory body OK’d a decrease of about $48.7 million for Ameren. The lower…...

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CUB’s monthly analysis: April showers bring falling gas prices

Most natural gas utilities have lowered their rates for April, marking the fourth consecutive month of falling prices. Compared to a year ago, we’re paying less across the board for natural gas. The price per therm you will pay for natural gas in April, also known as the Purchased Gas…...

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Tell President Trump: Keep our utility service reliable and affordable

In an emergency like this, affordable utility service is vital, and that’s an important point to make with our leaders.  Please tell President Trump about CUB’s Utility Customers’ Bill of Rights, and urge him to support state and federal policies that will keep our electric, gas and telecom service reliable…...

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Serving consumers in a crisis: New CUB service helps Glen Ellyn resident cut costs

As the world adapts to Coronavirus, so does CUB. We recently launched a service—virtual utility bill clinics—to replace our popular in-person events until the public health crisis ends. Our first virtual bill inquiry came from Alma, a consumer with alternative supplier Constellation Energy. She emailed copies of her electric and…...

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New ComEd rates are in!

Just a few weeks ago, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved a $67 million delivery rate decrease for ComEd customers—hopefully a sign that we’re starting to benefit from improvements to the power grid. Now, we officially know ComEd’s rates— reflecting the $67 million decrease—as of Jan. 1 Check out what you’ll…...

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Higher electric bills again?

Here we go again. For the second time in less than a year Illinois consumers—first in Central and Southern Illinois and now in Northern Illinois—face significantly higher electric bills because of a flawed power-pricing system.  And while electric customers will take the hit, big power generators like Exelon, NRG and…...

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Good news for Peoples, North Shore Gas non-heating customers!

As a Chicago renter who only uses natural gas to cook, I’ve often asked, “Why is my bill $50!?” I only use a few therms a month, and gas prices are in the neighborhood of 50 cents a therm—relatively low compared to past years. I’m hoping that’s about to change.…...

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