State regulators last December issued a series of orders that significantly reduced the record rate hikes ComEd and Ameren Illinois wanted, while also rejecting their plans to upgrade the power grid, ruling that they violated several provisions of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Below is our breakdown of…...
What you need to know about January 2024 gas prices in Illinois
Most gas companies are charging prices in the new year that are an average of 46 percent lower than last January, but month-to-month prices still show signs of the gas market’s instability. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Below…...
Q&A on ICC gas rulings and how they impact customers
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) issued separate rulings in November that reduced record rate hikes proposed by Illinois’ major gas utilities by $240 million, while also blocking most spending on a controversial pipeline-replacement program that has fueled a heating-affordability crisis for consumers in recent years. The ICC rulings also ordered…...
Q&A on ICC electric rulings and how they impact customers
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Dec. 14 issued a series of orders that significantly reduced the record rate hikes Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois wanted while also rejecting their plans to upgrade the power grid, ruling that they violated several provisions of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). …...
CUB statement reacting to Peoples Gas’ announcement of another likely rate hike: In the midst of a woeful heating bill crisis for consumers, utility is “unrepentant,” must be opposed
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has discovered that Peoples Gas on Thursday filed a document (see Verified Petition for Waiver) with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) that raises the specter of another rate-hike request in 2024. CHICAGO—Hours after its latest effort to squeeze more money out of consumers collapsed yesterday,…...
CUB applauds ICC for standing up for ComEd, Ameren customers, holding utilities accountable in unprecedented regulatory rulings
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Thursday ruled on record ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric rate-hike requests. In the rulings, the ICC rejected the multi-year grid plans proposed by Ameren and ComEd for lacking any proof of their affordability, slashed the excessive shareholder profit rates pushed by the companies and…...
CUB applauds regulators for rejecting Peoples Gas “theatrics,” as ICC opposes latest bid to additional rate hike
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Thursday unanimously derailed a request by Peoples Gas to claw back $134 million of disallowed funding for its pipeline-replacement program in 2024. If approved, the motion would have added about $8 million to the record $300 million rate hike the utility received last month. Peoples Gas executives threatened…...
Winter forecast: Finally, some relief (we hope)
After two painful winters, federal predictions are that Midwest gas bills will be down about 14-21 percent compared with last winter. The supply side of bills has definitely been down–CUB’s review of December gas prices showed that all but one of the major Illinois utilities in the state were charging…...