By Sarah Moskowitz Executive Director Citizens Utility Board It’s ironic that Commonwealth Edison, a company that touts itself as a clean energy champion, has bungled its billing system so severely that it has stalled a program that has been a clean energy success story in Illinois: Community Solar. Consumers who…...
Update on cases involving ComEd, Ameren Illinois power bills
We wanted to give you an update on electric battles before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). ComEd: As you recall, last December the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rejected the utility’s grid plan and slashed its $1.47 billion rate-hike request by about 65 percent (ICC Docket # 23-0055). However, the company filed a petition…...
CUB News Release: ComEd pushes for customers to pay millions to fix botched billing ‘upgrade’ that has crippled Illinois’ acclaimed Community Solar Program
When Commonwealth Edison’s botched billing system upgrade effectively blocked Illinois’ money-saving Community Solar program, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) demanded that the utility giant finally resolve the months-long problems and abandon a ploy to force frustrated customers to pay nearly $30 million to help fix the fiasco. (Here’s a PDF…...
Buried in $493M in overdue bills: ICC database shows urgency of Illinois reining in big utilities
In one month alone, major electric, gas and water utilities in Illinois reported that more than 1.3 million of their customers were buried in $493.6 million in debt, according to April numbers the companies were required to file with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). “A lot has changed over the…...
What you need to know about ComEd’s billing change
Note to ComEd customers (3/3/2024–last year): The utility’s switch to a new billing system was rocky, blocking millions of customers from paying their bills online for more than a week and erroneously notifying people they owed $9,999.99. The new billing system was supposed to be working on Feb. 19. On…...
Should customers fund ComEd’s “marketing charm offensive”?
Crain’s Chicago Business recently wrote how ComEd wants customers to help pay for the utility’s “marketing charm offensive” in the wake of its corruption scandal. In a proceeding before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging state regulators to make ComEd, and not its customers, pay…...
CUB testimony recommends $914 million reduction in ComEd rate-hike request
Commonwealth Edison’s proposed four-year electric rate hike should be cut by at least $914.5 million, or more than 60 percent, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Tuesday, citing expert testimony it filed in the rate case. CUB Executive Director David Kolata said the watchdog expects to support additional reductions uncovered by the Illinois…...
ComEd customers get $38 million refund this month–not enough
This month, ComEd customers are getting their small share of a $38 million refund tied to the utility’s corruption scandal. March/April ComEd bills should have the following message in the “UPDATES” section: This month’s bill includes a one-time credit designated as “Deferred Prosecution Agreement” in accordance with the Illinois Commerce Commission’s…...
Demand response: a win for you, the environment, and the grid
Demand response programs are opportunities for consumers to take an active role in lowering their electric bills, reducing stress on the electric grid, and cutting pollution. Sounds like a good deal. But what are “demand response” programs? At their core, all demand response programs incentivize consumers to shift their electricity…...
