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We’ve seen too many rip-offs like this

Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs, gave this report after a recent utility bill clinic in Elgin: Last night I sat down with a nice woman by the name of “Paige.” Paige does not have her own car and someone gave her a ride to the event. She had…...

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Watch your wallet: Electric/gas scammers prey on Illinois consumers

Be on high alert if someone approaches you with a utility “discount” that’s too good to be true: CUB is constantly getting complaints about alternative electric and gas suppliers using predatory sales tactics. Most customers in Illinois can choose a company other than the regulated utility to be their electric…...

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Tell the White House: Don’t be weak on efficiency

Last week, Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced that he was repealing the Clean Power Plan — regulations designed to reduce pollution from power plants. Here’s one particular reason why that’s bad news: The plan would have given energy efficiency a significant boost, and that…...

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Repeal of Clean Power Plan a blow to energy efficiency

When Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), began the process of repealing the Clean Power Plan, environmentalists from across the country decried the move. But there’s another reason to oppose the administration’s short-sighted actions to kill the plan: It offered the best opportunity to maximize investment…...

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How do I know if I’m with an alternative supplier?

If your electric or natural gas bill skyrockets unexpectedly, you may have inadvertently signed up with an alternative supplier. You should know where to look on your bill to determine if you’re with an alternative supplier. For more information, get CUB’s “Guide to Avoiding Electric Rip-offs” and “Guide to Avoiding…...

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CUB on repeal of Clean Power Plan: Bad news for consumers

As expected, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency today issued a proposed rule to repeal the Clean Power plan. Read the statement by CUB Executive Director David Kolata: “Any attempt by the Administration to weaken or repeal the Clean Power Plan is bad news for consumers. The Clean Power…...

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Breaking: New ComEd, Ameren power prices

Do you know what you’re paying for electricity this month? Read CUB’s special energy pricing guides for Ameren and ComEd customers. (It includes the gas prices for October.) Also, give us your best energy efficiency tip and we’ll share it in this blog.    ...

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Halloween Giveaway

Utility bills can be scary, especially with the upcoming winter. That’s why we’re offering you the chance to win $50 toward those bills. Just answer our quick poll by midnight Halloween, and you could be randomly selected to win $50 off your scariest bill. Enter the giveaway by telling us which…...

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POLL: What is your scariest bill?

CUB’s outreach team CUB staffs 400-500 events a year, and we have seen some scary utility bills. Now, we want to hear what bill scares you the most. Answer our quick poll by midnight Halloween, and you could be randomly selected to win $50 off your utility bills. What is…...

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Some good news for ComEd customers this October

      In October, ComEd customers will receive a one-time refund totaling about $80 million. Here’s what you should know: The per-kilowatt-hour credit, labeled the “energy efficiency credit,” works out to nearly $14 for the average ComEd residential customer. The credit is the result of a refund requested by ComEd…...

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