State regulators should require Peoples Gas to use a cutting-edge technology called “methane mapping” to locate Chicago’s leakiest gas pipes, according to expert testimony filed by CUB. CUB is urging Chicagoans to send a message to state regulators in favor of methane mapping as a way to improve the utility’s pipeline replacement…...
How low should you set your thermostat?
If you live in a household with multiple people, a couple degrees on the thermostat could spark the biggest arguments. So, let’s settle it once and for all: Where should you set your home’s temperature? The Department of Energy says setting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours…...
Donations Doubled!
This week, a generous CUB supporter has agreed to match donations, which makes it the perfect time to give. Your contribution—whatever you can afford— will help fund our lawyers, consumer advocates, and money-saving events and publications needed to fight rip-offs across the state. Besides rip-offs, we’re also up against a…...
Give us your best winter efficiency tips, you could win $100
As we pull out our winter jackets from storage and hunker down for the (hopefully short) winter, CUB wants to receive your best cold-weather energy efficiency tip. We want to hear hear from the real experts on Illinois winters: utility customers like you! Fill out this form and you could be randomly…...
CUB Power Calculator update with new power prices
CUB’s Power Calculator, a free tool to help you judge alternative electricity supplier offers in Illinois, has been updated with new winter power prices. Here’s how you use it: Go to www.CUBPowerCalcuator.com Just plug in the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of an alternative electricity supplier’s offer. (Make sure to ask…...
Retiree saves hundreds, thanks to CUB Voice, Consumer Hotline
After reading CUB’s quarterly publication The CUB Voice, Stillman Valley resident Terry Temple realized he was paying way too much for his electric and gas service, and he did something about it. The retired marketing director for GE Aviation Systems came upon a full-page article headlined “Paying too much for…...
Consumer Alert: PIPP is back! (but funds are going fast)
A program that helps low-income seniors and families stay current with their utility bills was reinstated after budget disputes in Springfield suspended it for a year. However, due to the program’s popularity the funding has run out in Cook County and is going fast in other counties. The Percentage of Income…...
Breaking: ComEd and Ameren have new power prices
As of Oct. 1, ComEd and Ameren Illinois are charging new electricity prices. ComEd: 6.388¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh) Ameren: 6.514¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the first 800 kWh used; 4.776¢/kWh for usage over 800 kWh Why is it important to know this? Because the prices above are what you compare to any alternative supplier offer that is…...
Cable box proposal: FCC delays vote, get ready for round 2!
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has delayed a vote on a plan that would have allowed a lot of consumers to avoid paying set-top box rental fees to pay-TV companies. In the last few weeks, more than 4,000 CUB Action Network members signed our petition in favor of the plan. But we knew…...
