The idea behind “Choices for You”—the program allowing Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas customers to choose an alternative company to supply their natural gas–is that you can shop around for the best gas price. But the history of gas choice in northern Illinois has been riddled with bad deals and…...
Energy Reports: Helpful or Headache?
Not too long ago, CUB began noticing an uptick in complaints about periodic “energy reports” being sent to consumers from the utility companies. The reports give consumers information about their home’s natural gas and electricity usage, include tips on making homes energy efficient, and compare energy usage to neighbors. While the…...
CUB to FERC: What’s behind the January energy price spike?
Energy prices skyrocketed in January, and CUB suspects the reason might be more than just the record-breaking cold. Recently, we joined with consumer advocates from 10 other states in a letter urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to examine the root causes behind the price spike. “No doubt, January’s ‘polar…...
The $42.5 billion Time Warner deal: Can Comcast pass the FCC test?
As Comcast today announced plans to gobble up Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion, one of its favorite talking points was that the deal won’t hurt competition because the companies’ geographic markets don’t overlap. OK, but that’s indicative of the big problem. The cable/Internet market already is plagued by consolidation…...
Hands Off My Internet!
Net neutrality—the principal that protects our right to a free and open Internet—could go the way of the dinosaur, thanks to a recent court decision. We need your help to fix it, before the Internet is open to the highest bidder! Net neutrality means that Internet Service Providers like AT&T, Comcast…...
The ups and downs of Ameren rates, 2014
Ameren customers received a $45 million electric rate cut, as they were hit with a $32 million natural gas rate hike. So how does that affect 2014 bills? Both changes—ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) late last year—impact the delivery part of our bills. That’s what you pay Ameren…...
Take CUB’s Survey: Have you received a utility energy report?
Imagine this: You get a letter from your electric or gas utility that has colorful bar graphs and says something like this, “You used 21% more natural gas than your neighbors. That cost you about $102 extra.” Or maybe, your electricity/gas usage compares favorably to your neighbors and your energy…...
Polar vortex price spike? Read all about it!
At about the same time the “polar vortex” slammed Illinois with record cold this month—it also generated some heat from consumers who complained to CUB about an unheard of spike in electricity prices. That’s right, electricity prices. About eight out of 10 Illinois homes heat with natural gas—so what business…...
