Many natural gas customers in Illinois are paying the highest prices in more than a decade, with most utilities charging nearly $1 a therm or more in May, according to gas price data filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). This latest development shows that even though winter is over,…...
Marking a year of skyrocketing gas prices: CUB urges consumers to separate myth from fact
As Illinois utility customers enter their twelfth straight month of high heating prices, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) issued a consumer alert to warn natural gas customers about pervasive myths that could ultimately hurt their bottom lines. (Watch CUB’s video on three actions you can take to fight high gas…...
February’s natural gas prices: How much will you pay to heat your home?
A year after a deep freeze across the Southern United States sparked problems in the natural gas distribution system, Illinois consumers are still suffering under skyrocketing heating bills because of that extreme weather and other market problems. The prices for major natural gas utilities in Illinois are as follows: Ameren…...
Despite price drop, natural gas supply rates still high compared to 2020
Several natural gas utilities have dropped their prices slightly in December after months of ballooning prices. Despite the slight decrease, natural gas prices are still two to three times greater than they were last December. Current natural gas prices are related to an extreme cold snap that froze natural gas…...
CUB Executive Director David Kolata’s statement on Nicor rate hike
The following is a statement from Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director David Kolata on Nicor Gas’ $240 million rate hike. It’s unacceptable that Nicor Gas pushed for higher rates—its third record request in four years—while people are struggling under a pandemic and the highest winter heating prices in more…...
With an expensive winter ahead, CUB Help Center aims to protect consumers from ballooning gas bills
Illinois consumers are facing the possibility of hundreds of dollars in higher heating bills this winter due to skyrocketing natural gas prices and aggressive utility spending. Most supply rates went up again on Nov. 1, with major utilities charging about double 2020 prices. CUB has launched an online help center…...
Memo from the General Counsel: CUB’s consumer battles
By Julie Soderna, CUB General Counsel Below is a rundown of key consumer battles in our caseload. In summary, we helped reduce utility rate hikes by a total of $85 million, and we helped negotiate $2 million in refunds and energy assistance from three alternative suppliers accused of violating state…...
Affordability crisis: Illinois consumers grapple with overdue utility bills as winter weather draws near
Heading into what could be the most expensive heating season Illinois consumers have seen in more than a decade, many utility customers across the state are already behind on their utility bills. Nearly 170,000 Peoples Gas customers, about 20 percent, are more than 30 days behind on their natural gas…...
New assistance program helps Nicor customers afford their gas bills
Nicor Gas and The Salvation Army are partnering to provide emergency assistance to help individuals and families pay their natural gas utility bills. Funding through the Shield of Caring program will assist residential customers who are past due on their gas bill and report a financial hardship, such as a…...
