Americans pay some of the highest Internet rates in the world. So why did the U.S. House of Representatives just pass H.R. 2666? The bill, which now heads to the Senate, is so broadly written that it could strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of its ability to act on consumer…...
CUB’s proposal to videotape electric pitches featured on ABC 7
Check out this story by a member of ABC 7’s I-Team, Jason Knowles, on CUB’s proposal to videotape door-to-door pitches by alternative energy suppliers. (The sales people would videotape themselves making the pitch, but the customers would not be filmed.) We’re fighting the good fight! https://ow.ly/4mRBP9...
Constellation to customers: Your electric rates are going UP
Residents in several towns that have community power deals with Constellation are getting letters informing them that the price they pay for electricity is going up because of a “change in law.” Let CUB explain: What’s happening? Under Illinois law, communities can enter into “municipal aggregation” deals with alternative electric companies…...
ComEd wants $138 M rate hike
ComEd today filed for a $138 million rate hike. CUB Executive Director David Kolata vowed to fight it: “CUB plans to carefully review ComEd’s proposal and do everything we can to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce the rate hike as much as possible. ComEd has launched historic improvements to the power…...
Fight misleading marketing: Send a message to the ICC
Here’s a good example of how current Illinois law breeds misleading electric and gas marketing: One logo is for Illinois’ biggest regulated gas utility. The other is for an alternative supplier that has sparked hundreds of complaints/questions over the years—many from confused people who were stuck with high bills. A lot…...
Send a message now: Support community solar!
CUB put out an emergency e-mail today to spark Illinoisans to send messages to Springfield in support of solar power. Last year, state regulators updated Illinois’ Community Solar Standard. The standard opens the door for entire neighborhoods to enjoy the money-saving benefits of solar energy—even families who can’t afford solar…...
First Quarter Report: $58,828 in Consumer Savings
While CUB’s legal and policy teams fought $6 billion in higher rates in the first quarter of 2016, the consumer advocacy and outreach departments were busy too, helping consumers save an estimated $58,828.08. According to CUB records, the outreach department–which holds money-saving events across Illinois–showed consumers how to cut their utility…...