As shopping for electricity suppliers becomes more expensive in Illinois, energy efficiency programs have emerged as the most reliable way to cut utility bills , according to a new CUB report. CUB held a press conference today to announce the findings: Energy efficiency has replaced electric competition as Illinois’ best bet for savings. …...
Exelon proposes surcharge that would jack up ComEd, Ameren bills by an estimated $300 million/year
For more than a year now, we’ve been hearing rumblings that ComEd-parent Exelon would push for some type of legislation that would boost revenue for its fleet of nuclear plants. Now, Illinois’ largest energy company has gone public. As Crain’s Chicago Business reported earlier this week, the giant wants to…...
Victory for net neutrality!
More than 3,000 CUB Action Network members sent messages to the FCC over the past months saying “Save my Internet!” Today, we learned that the pressure worked. In a historic decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3- 2 to approve rules reclassifying the Internet as a “common carrier” under the Telecommunications Act. The action…...
The vote that could save the Internet
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote tomorrow on whether or not to re-classify the Internet as a public utility, which can be protected and regulated through federal authority. Why does this matter to you, oh-average-unassuming-consumer? Because this decision is a game changer for net neutrality. Net neutrality…...
Quiz Time!
Did you know that simple actions could save you big bucks on your utility bills? That’s right: Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, unplugging unused appliances, and using a programmable thermostat could potentially save you hundreds per year on your energy bill! Take CUB’s quiz and see just how much your household…...
Record-breaking temperature sweep through Chicago region
This morning, Chicagoans awoke to frigid Arctic air that crushed a 79-year-old record. Wind chills accompanied by 20 mph gusts make the temperature feel as cold and biting as 30 degrees below zero, according to a wind chill advisory issued by the National Weather Service. The temperature at O’Hare Airport…...
Keeping up with $1.6 billion in Illinois rate-hike battles
Consumer wallets took a big hit in January, with four utility rate increases–and a new $53 million natural gas rate-hike request. On Jan. 1, ComEd and Ameren were awarded a combined electric rate increase of $436 million (about $232 million for ComEd and $204 for Ameren). CUB filed a “petition for…...
Our Valentine to AT&T: Have a heart, don’t kill our landlines
Thank you to the 1,600+ people who signed CUB’s Valentine to AT&T. Our hearts ache alright–not for AT&T, but for the millions of Illinoisans who depend on traditional home phone service as their most reliable and affordable telecom option. AT&T has stated clearly that it wants to end their phone…...
“Now is the time for Time-of-Use pricing”
Today, CUB and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) urged ComEd and Ameren to offer optional “Time-of-Use” pricing plans in Illinois. Such plans would reward energy-efficient customers for shifting electricity use away from “peak” hours–when demand is high, prices skyrocket, and power plants produce the most pollution. These plans would not only save individual…...
