For the seventh consecutive year, Illinois had the lowest average electricity bills in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). But nobody thinks power bills are low—there’s more work to do. That’s why CUB and other consumer/environmental advocates are pushing Illinois to pass the Clean Energy Jobs…...
Consumer, environmental advocates flood Springfield to support Clean Energy Jobs Act
By Hannah Finnerty, CUB communications coordinator It was still dark outside when 500 bleary-eyed consumer and environmental advocates from across the state packed onto buses and headed to Springfield. Hoping to meet with their legislators at the state capitol, they planned to urge their senators and representatives to pass the…...
CUB: Clean Energy Jobs Act would “protect our pocketbooks and the planet”
Saying Illinois urgently needs the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) “to protect our pocketbooks and the planet,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata testified before a Chicago City Council committee today in support of a resolution endorsing the legislation now before the General Assembly in Springfield. The Committee on Environmental Protection…...
Nicor hike cut by 27%–but still too high for CUB
CUB helped reduce Nicor Gas’ record-high rate-hike request by more than $62 million, but the watchdog’s work isn’t over: It will challenge the state regulatory ruling to try to save consumers more money. On Oct. 2, just as the winter heating season began, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted Nicor…...
Make sure to order CUB’s free, money-saving guides (in honor of our 35th anniversary)
As part of CUB’s 35th anniversary celebration, we have spent 2019 producing a series of free, money-saving guides. If you haven’t already, please order these publications. We will immediately email you a free, printer-friendly copy. CUB’s Guide to Cutting Your TV Costs 10 Ways To Cut Smartphone Data Waste CUB’s Guide to Fighting Robocalls CUB’s Gas…...
Win for consumers and energy innovation: IL launches dynamic-pricing pilots
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) praised Illinois regulators for two major rulings this fall that launch innovative dynamic-pricing pilot projects for customers of the state’s biggest electric utility. The projects place Illinois among the leading states for developing clean energy tools that empower customers…...
Five things to remember about your bills
In our first-ever “virtual utility bill clinic,” CUB members from 64 different cities across Illinois submitted their utility bills to get CUB’s unique utility-bill checkup service from the comfort of their own homes. CUB holds 400-500 events a year, but the virtual clinic was an attempt to reach people who…...
Take the home heating quiz
October is the beginning of the winter heating season (GULP!) and it’s also Energy Awareness Month. This is the perfect time to take CUB’s Home Heating Quiz and test your energy knowledge. You could win a free energy-saving kit from CUB that includes: two LED light bulbs, a smart power strip, and…...