Sick of annoying telemarketing calls? We hear you. New call-blocking technology could stop robocallers from harassing you—but we still have to convince major phone companies to get on board and offer the services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently clarified rules and gave telephone companies the green light to offer…...
Historic Moment: EPA unveils Clean Power Plan
Today marks a historic moment, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its long-anticipated Clean Power Plan—the most ambitious action of its kind to combat climate change and promote energy efficiency across the country. The plan’s nationwide goal is to help cut carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent by 2030.…...
Smart Grid History: IL’s First Peak Time Savings Hours ever!
When Judy Cashen got the call from ComEd last Thursday morning announcing the summer’s first Peak Time Savings Hours, she jumped into action. The retiree, who lives in Chicago’s Pullman Historic District, turned off her air conditioning unit in order to earn credit back on her bill for cutting energy…...
Peoples Gas in the hot seat
It looks like we’re going to get some answers on Peoples Gas’ disastrous and costly pipeline replacement program— just as new estimates reveal projected costs for the program have ballooned to more than $8 billion (nearly four times the original estimate!). Chicago’s 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly introduced a resolution in today’s…...
A big change for Chicagoans… and a free tool to help
Beginning in August, more than 600,000 Chicago households will switch from the City’s municipal power deal with Constellation Energy back to ComEd, marking the end of the largest deal of its kind in the country. With the mass exodus of customers, Chicago residents need to be on high alert. The big…...
CUB launches free calculator to help you save!
The electric market just ain’t what it used to be. Proof? A recent ICC report shows that customers with ComEd, the regulated utility, saved $73.4 million more than customers with alternative electric suppliers from May 2014 to May 2015,. That’s a far cry from just two years ago, when consumers saved…...
We have a winner!
We have a winner in the CUB energy efficiency survey. Congratulations to John H. of Glendale Heights, who will receive $100 off his utility bills! CUB is alerting Illinois residents to special pricing programs and energy efficiency incentives offered by the utilities that can help you save big on your utility bills. More than 1,900 people…...
Consumer listens to Dad, Calls CUB & saves on Comcast bundle
By Samantha Vercellino Last October, Lisa Karmenzind was ready to pull the plug on her Internet, cable and phone bundle from Comcast. Her monthly bill had jumped from $147 to $202, and she could no longer afford the expensive services. The Peoria-area resident wasted no time trying to sever ties…...
Electric competition: Not the money saver it once was
The times are a’changing. When electric competition began in northern Illinois, it seemed like a sure bet for savings. ComEd’s price at the time was high and electric customers could easily find deals by shopping the market of unregulated suppliers. But the era of easy savings is over, for now, in…...
Give your AC a helping hand during heat waves
Twenty years ago, I was struggling through the infamous 1995 heatwave…by cuddling with frozen vegetables. As a cub reporter for The Associated Press in Milwaukee, I spent my days (July 11-27, 1995) helping to record a heart-breaking toll: 85 heat-related deaths in Milwaukee, another 465 in Chicago. My nights were…...
