By Samantha Vercellino As the days get shorter and colder, chances are we’ll be spending more time inside—and cooking. But before hitting the kitchen, look at these tips to ensure maximum savings during the festive-but-frigid months ahead. Plan accordingly. You don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen to…...
Nicor customers beware: Top 3 highest gas prices
This month, Nicor Gas customers–and their checkbooks—were happy to see the regulated utility’s price plunge 27 percent compared to its rate last October. But beware that some alternative gas suppliers are still offering plans that are almost double Nicor’s current rate. Protect yourself from bad deals by taking a quick look at…...
Reform the Power Market!
Last week, we told you that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is investigating the electricity market in Central and Southern Illinois after a power auction last spring sparked a 30 percent price spike—and gave windfall profits to big generators like Exelon and Dynegy. Attorney General Lisa Madigan and more than 3,000 CUB…...
Crain’s Chicago Business: Did Peoples Gas lie?
A new auditor’s report shows that Peoples Gas knew the estimated cost for a disastrous pipeline replacement project had spiked to $8 billion…but the company kept that detail close to the vest as it sought approval for a lucrative merger, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. In June, Wisconsin Energy won Illinois Commerce…...
FERC launches probe of Central, Southern IL power market
Federal regulators have listened to Attorney General Lisa Madigan and more than 3,000 CUB Action Network members who called for an investigation of the electricity market in Central and Southern Illinois after consumers were hit with a 30 percent price spike. Here are the developments since CUB held a media…...
“Because I love how CUB saves people money”
Occasionally this year, a generous CUB member has been nice enough to match your donations. Recently, we asked him why, and his answer was simple: “Because I love how CUB saves people money.” To spark our fall campaign, this anonymous contributor has again generously offered to match every donation this…...
A showdown with big power generators at the U.S. Supreme Court
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in a case that promises to have a major impact on future energy costs in the United States. The Supreme Court is reviewing a 2014 Appellate Court decision that stripped the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) of the authority to promote and regulate “demand-response” programs in the energy market. What…...
CUB endorsement: Programs to help lower your gas bills!
Over the summer, we asked our CUB Action Network members if they wanted to know more about CUB’s favorite energy efficiency programs. The answer was a resounding: YES! So without further adieu, here is a deep dive into two programs being offered to gas customers in Northern Illinois: the energySMART program from…...
