CUB, AARP Illinois and Illinois PIRG this week held a news conference about the mismanagement and spiraling costs associated with a Peoples Gas plan to replace aging pipes underneath the city. How bad is it? An analysis by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan found that if the program isn’t changed…...
News Release: Proposed State Law Aims to Quash Spending Abuses by Peoples Gas in Bloated Pipe Replacement Program
A new bill pending in the Illinois General Assembly would eliminate the mechanism Peoples Gas has used to bankroll a pipe-replacement program widely decried for its rampantly escalating cost estimates and chronic waste and mismanagement. The proposed measure, championed by AARP Illinois, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), and Illinois PIRG,…...
Yes, this is GOOD news out of Washington
Good news! The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made headlines this week after unanimously rejecting a plan that would have given extra money to coal and nuclear plants and could have increased electricity costs by up to $11 billion a year. Energy Secretary Rick Perry argued his plan would have…...
Net neutrality: Not. Dead. Yet.
You may have read headlines that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has killed the internet consumer protections we call “net neutrality.” But this fight is far from over, and that’s why we want you to act now! Pro-consumer lawyers are mounting a court challenge of the FCC’s vote, and members of Congress…...
Fight for net neutrality is just beginning
On Dec. 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to make a big mistake regarding your internet. The FCC, led by new Chairman Ajit Pai, will likely vote for a plan that will decimate the internet consumer protections (also called “net neutrality”) the commission passed in 2015. Here’s why…...
Join the fight against a crippling solar tariff
This is a special update about a threat to clean energy—and we’re asking you to send a message to the White House to show your support for solar power. On Halloween, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)—a federal agency that provides trade expertise to the White House—recommended that President Trump…...
FAQ on Dynegy’s legislation: Why you should oppose it
In the General Assembly’s October Veto session, Houston-based Dynegy is pushing legislation (Senate Bill 2250/House Bill 4141) to prop up its financially ailing coal-fired power plants. UPDATE: The bill stalled in 2017, but CUB fully expects the legislation to come back in 2018. CUB opposes the legislation. Here’s why you should…...
Step forward in Illinois: ICC OKs new protections against electric rip-offs
After three years of hard work by consumer advocates and regulators, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) today voted to finalize new consumer protections against electric rip-offs. The key rules require alternative electric suppliers to: -Obtain a third-party verification of a door-to-door sale or a “Letter of Agency” (documentation in which…...
