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ICC stats: IL consumers have lost $1.6B with alternative suppliers since 2015, but Ameren customers saved last year

Illinois consumers have lost about $1.6 billion total to alternative suppliers since 2015–but Ameren customers, for a change, saw some savings last year, according to a review of annual reports from the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Office of Retail Market Development (ORMD).  Under Illinois law, ComEd, Ameren and MidAmerican customers are…...

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CUB review: Most municipal aggregation offers saving money, but changes on horizon

Out of 485 active community power (“municipal aggregation”) offers, about 300 (62 percent) beat or at least matched the utilities’ summer supply rates, according to a CUB review of plans. But more than half (183) of those offers expire over the next year–many of them this December.  This comparison covers…...

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We asked for your clean energy testimonials and CUB supporters delivered

We asked our e-newsletter recipients for their energy success stories, and we received many great testimonials on how you’re using clean energy to cut costs. Here are a few of our favorites. Derek, Oak Park Using state and federal clean energy rebates, Derek was able to achieve a significant reduction…...

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Q&A: Updates to the Carbon-free Resource Adjustment

CUB has been getting calls about a line-item on ComEd bills called the Carbon-Free Resource Adjustment, or CFRA.  Over its first year on ComEd bills, the CFRA delivered a total of about $2.4 billion in credits to consumers.  But this summer the CFRA became a charge. Here’s some background. What…...

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Good news: Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Rebate Program to open Nov. 1

Update as of 11/14/23: The Illinois EPA announced yesterday the number of applications they received so far is more than the available funds for this year. They are still accepting applications, though applicants who qualify as “Low-Income” will be prioritized for rebates. The third Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate cycle will…...

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Alert: Having trouble with your energy bills? LIHEAP reopens Oct. 2 

As we head into the winter heating season, CUB urges eligible consumers to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. The application process reopens. Oct. 2. Here’s the schedule for this fall: Oct. 2: LIHEAP begins taking applications for seniors (age 60 or older), people with disabilities…...

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Update on record-breaking rate hikes in 2023

By Eric DeBellis CUB General Counsel  Regulatory Counsel Laura Loyd and I are dealing with a record six rate cases, totaling a whopping $2.9 billion.  Where do the rate cases stand? Over the past year, CUB has filed expert testimony uncovering the utilities’ attempts to get state regulators to approve…...

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CUB’s money-saving events in September

As we approach the winter heating season, CUB is here to help you get ready to save on your utility bills. Below are several events in September that can help you improve energy efficiency at home and protect your bottom line. We hope to see you! 10:00 a.m. – 1:00…...

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It’s time to consider your Fall gas efficiency upgrades: September 2023 gas prices

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.…...

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Tips for fighting high summer electric bills in this heat wave

Temperatures are rising as a heat wave sets in for Illinois, one of the increasingly common results of climate change. A CUB study found climate change will cause ComEd customers to pay an additional $10.9 billion on their electric bills over the next 30 years. You might be fretting about…...

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