Clean Energy Archives | Citizens Utility Board

Breaking: PJM committee vote strong step toward clean, affordable energy future

Jim Chilsen — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:08:49 +0000

In a strong step forward for affordable, reliable and clean energy, a committee at the nation’s largest power grid operator on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to begin a discussion on how to design and evaluate cost-effective alternatives to running expensive, polluting power plants past their desired close date. PJM manages the power grid for northern Illinois and all or parts of 12 other states and the District of Columbia. On Wednesday, PJM’s Markets & Reliability Committee voted to launch a process for PJM members (energy industry companies and consumer advocates) to consider how to design and evaluate cost-effective alternatives to expensive reliability must run (RMR) agreements. RMR agreements are created and managed by PJM whenever they have concerns that a plant closure would hurt grid reliability. With a growing number of uneconomic coal and gas plants reaching retirement, RMRs keep polluting, expensive generators online well past their planned deactivation dates. For example, the proposed RMR for the Brandon Shores coal plant in Maryland was criticized by advocates because it could cost Marylanders around $175 million each year. The discussion on RMR alternatives will take place in the Deactivation Enhancements Senior Task Force, which was already considering how to revise RMR compensation and deactivation notification timelines. “This is a vital, necessary discussion that could help us better navigate the energy transition,” said Clara Summers, manager of Consumers for a Better Grid, a CUB project to advocate for consumer interests at PJM. “RMRs are bad for the planet and our bottom lines, and it’s time we start considering alternatives, such as deploying grid-enhancing technologies and energy storage, that can keep the lights on and combat climate change while saving electric customers money. Today’s vote was an excellent step in the right direction–now we can get down to business to design an alternative solution.” Given the high cost of RMRs, CUB teamed with the Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel to propose an expanded stakeholder process to consider alternatives to RMRs to better protect customers from higher energy costs and harmful pollution while also meeting the needs caused by increased energy demand. This is not a new concept–other grid operators across the country, including in New York and Texas, already have processes to evaluate alternatives to RMRs. Specifically, the new stakeholder process would discuss procedures to evaluate combinations of generation and transmission technologies as cost-effective alternatives to RMRs. Some of the technologies under consideration include: grid-enhancing technologies reconductoring energy storage “No one likes RMRs–they are expensive, polluting, and they distort the markets,” Summers said. “We are glad that stakeholders have come together and said we want an alternative. This is an exciting example of consumer advocates helping to set the agenda.” Read Clara Summers’ statement on this development. For more information on advocating for consumer interests at PJM, visit Consumers for a Better Grid’s website.

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Ampion: CUB’s evaluation of a new community solar offer

Elizabeth — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 20:28:58 +0000

This is an evaluation of Ampion’s community solar offering. (If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading our Introduction to Community Solar first.) How will signing up for the Ampion community solar offer affect my electric bill? Ampion will look at your energy usage history to determine your subscription size, measured in kilowatts (kW). Each month your subscription will produce solar energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Once the community solar project you are assigned to is completed, your monthly electric bill will be reduced by the community solar bill credits. You will also pay a second monthly bill to Ampion. Even though you are now receiving two bills, you will still save money overall. On your utility bill, you will see a credit for your community solar subscription. Ampion will bill you for the energy generated by your subscription, with a 10% discount applied. That’s where the savings come in. The total amount you save monthly will vary as the solar production of your subscription varies. Based on your billing cadence, you may see a delay of 1-2 billing cycles before your credits are automatically applied to your electric bill. What about alternative suppliers? All customers, regardless of their alternative electricity supplier, can now receive solar bill credits as part of a community solar program. Click here to learn more about alternative suppliers for consumers in ComEd territory and Ameren territory. What does CUB think about this offer? Community solar allows more Illinois consumers to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy, and CUB is pleased to see these offers hit the market. Ampion promises 10% savings over your utility’s energy supply price. Other community solar companies are offering 20% savings. Visit Solar in the Community to see CUB’s analysis of other offers available in Illinois. This chart summarizes key points about the Ampion deal: What utility territory does the company serve? Ameren and ComEd. Does the company offer savings? Yes. Ampion offers 10% off the utility default supply rate for the community solar bill credits you receive. Is there a credit check when I sign up? There is a soft check. What is the contract term? 5 years with 2-year auto-renewals Is there an “exit fee” for leaving the contract early? No. What are my billing options? Dual billing, autopay required. When will my subscription go live? When will I start to see credits on my utility bill? When you sign up for a community solar offer, you may experience a delay before you see credits on your utility bill. This is because the community solar garden to which you are assigned may not yet be completed. When working with an Ampion sales representative to sign up, ask what the estimated wait time will look like. The representative should be able to give you an estimate. What happens if I move? If you move within your current utility territory you can take your community solar subscription with you. If you move outside of the utility territory, you can either assign your subscription to someone else (that person must first properly enroll in the community solar program, including reviewing all […]

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We asked for your clean energy testimonials and CUB supporters delivered

Elizabeth — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:24:05 +0000

We asked our e-newsletter recipients for their energy success stories, and we received many great testimonials on how you’re using clean energy to cut costs. Here are a few of our favorites. Derek, Oak Park Using state and federal clean energy rebates, Derek was able to achieve a significant reduction in his home’s carbon footprint by installing solar panels, making energy efficiency upgrades and swapping out gas appliances for electric ones. “As a homeowner, there are significant steps I can take to do my part in eliminating my own personal climate pollution: replace our appliances with electric ones and generate free, clean energy with rooftop solar panels,” he wrote. “We don’t need to wait for some new technology to be invented, or some new program to make this transition. We can start now, and do our part to save the planet, improve our quality of life, and save money in the long run.” Robert, Chicago Robert participates in ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program, which charges an electricity supply rate that can change hourly. (Read CUB’s ComEd Hourly Pricing factsheet and see CUB’s Electric page for more information on utility special pricing programs.) If you can avoid heavy electricity usage during high-priced times, you can save money. In fact, the average customer is saving about 15 percent on the supply portion of their bill. “We shifted our laundry and dishwasher to overnight operation using built-in delay timers in the devices,” he said. “We have saved 25 percent in energy costs since making the switch.” Ed, Carlinville Ed switched out his air conditioner and furnace for an energy-efficient heat pump system. “The great thing about air source heat pumps is that they offer you more bang for your buck by functioning as a heating source in the winter and, using the same technology in reverse, an AC in the summer,” said CUB’s new Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator Joey Lee. Read CUB’s Better Heat Guide and Heat Pump factsheet to learn how you can make the switch too. Kathy, Chicago Kathy has insulated her home, installed solar panels, bought an electric stove and an electric heat pump dryer and installed a heat pump. “I hope to later this year or early next year put in a heat pump water heater at that point I will be 100 percent electric in a 110-year-old house!” she said. Read CUB’s Guide to the Inflation Reduction Act to learn how you can use federal rebates for these electric appliance upgrades and CUB’s Solar Guide for more information about solar energy in Illinois. Michael, Lincolnshire A few years ago, Michael learned about the Community Solar program, which helps participants enjoy the benefits of solar without having to install panels on their property. The program allows consumers to save money on their electric bills from energy produced by large, offsite community solar projects, similar to how you would save on your electric bill if you installed panels on your own property. Michael signed up, and he said: “I started saving money on my electric bills… For the first 2-year contract ending 1/1/23, I have saved $303.26.” Jim, Berwyn Jim installed […]

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Do you know about these Illinois solar programs?

Elizabeth — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 20:33:44 +0000

Thanks to strong state (Climate and Equitable Jobs Act) and federal (Inflation Reduction Act) incentives, the money-saving benefits of solar power have never been more accessible to so many people in Illinois. #1 Want to install panels? Consider the Solar Switch group-buy program CUB and the nonprofit Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), along with Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties, have launched a solar panel group-buy program, Solar Switch. (Read our news release.) This program helps consumers in those five counties (plus Kendall and McHenry counties) utilize the power of volume discounts alongside state and federal incentives to get the best deal on panels. #2 No panels? No problem! Check out Community Solar Illinois’ community solar program allows electricity customers to enjoy the benefits of solar energy without installing panels on their own homes. A community solar subscription is your monthly share of a solar farm that will help offset some of your home’s electricity usage. Thanks to affordable clean energy expanded under CEJA, community solar customers can save roughly 10-20% on the supply portion of their electric bills. #3 Illinois Solar for All makes the switch to solar more affordable than ever Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) is a state-run program for income-eligible residents. Consumers can take advantage of the benefits of solar at little or no cost for either residential rooftop solar or community solar. These programs are designed specifically to help lower-income families enjoy the benefits of solar power while helping the planet. Check out our first-ever solar guide for more info, and please reach out if you have any questions. We’re happy to help!

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The time is now for electric cooperatives to empower rural Illinois communities

Elizabeth — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:16:28 +0000

Co-Authors: Amanda Pankau, Prairie Rivers Network, Christine Nannicelli, Sierra Club Illinois, and Scott Allen, Citizens Utility Board The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has dramatically transformed the energy landscape for publicly owned electric cooperatives and municipal utilities across the country, offering game-changing access to clean energy tax credits and a suite of programs to deliver cost-effective clean energy resources to their customers. One of the most exciting programs is the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. This program offers $9.7 billion in grants and low-cost loans — the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936, and an unprecedented opportunity to hasten the clean energy transition for rural electric cooperatives (rural co-ops). This funding opportunity is particularly important for Illinois because our rural co-ops have long-term contracts and ownership shares with coal-fired power plants like the Prairie State Coal Plant. The energy futures for these cooperatives, their customers, and Illinois’ largest polluting power plant are at a crossroads. Prairie State owners could double down on their risky investment in coal by retrofitting Illinois’ largest polluter with carbon capture technology, effectively repeating history and burdening Illinois communities with another decade of dangerous soot pollution. Or, they could make a cost-effective shift to clean energy by capitalizing on the unprecedented incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. Historically, Prairie State owners and rural co-ops avoid engaging the public and their ratepayers with transparent utility planning. This lack of transparency poses significant challenges to accessing information about benefits like the historic opportunities in the IRA. Now is the time to challenge the status quo and call on rural co-ops in Illinois to be leaders in the clean energy transition. History of Rural Electric Cooperatives By 1930, most of America’s urban areas had electricity, while 90% of farms were still without it. In 1936, as part of the New Deal, Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act, creating a lending program that allowed rural farmers and citizens to form non-profit cooperatives to bring electricity to rural America. With the power of the people, rural co-ops quickly got to work, and within a few decades, the lights were on throughout much of rural America. Rural co-ops operate according to the Seven Cooperative Principles that ensure members’ needs are put first through open membership, democratic control, and more. Today, rural co-ops continue to generate and deliver power to rural homes and farms, and they have become an integral component of rural economies and communities. Historic Opportunity The New ERA represents the largest single investment in rural electrification since the passage of the Rural Electrification Act in 1936. The funds can be leveraged alongside other state incentives, as well as federal tax credits, that rural co-ops can access through the new “direct pay” option. Rural co-ops interested in applying for funding must submit “letters of interest” (LOI) detailing their funding requests by August 31, 2023. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will evaluate and score the LOIs based on the potential for emissions reductions and send invitations to submit full applications to the top-ranking LOIs. Through this historic program, rural co-ops can and must become leaders in building […]

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CUB’s 5 ways to mark Earth Week (and any week!)

Elizabeth — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:53:00 +0000

In this week leading up to Earth Day, on Saturday April 22, we’ve rounded up a list of five ways you can mark the moment, with the help of CUB resources. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in our Planet,” which fits nicely with CUB’s message that clean energy lowers utility bills. See our checklist of actions to consider this week, and any week: Do some spring cleaning and practice energy efficiency As we look forward to summer, we start with the basics–because the cleanest, cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use. CUB recommends simple actions, like turning off the lights and fans when you leave the room. But springtime is a great opportunity to get your home energy efficient for the summer. Also…. Check out these handy summer energy-saving tips; Read our Year Round Energy Savings fact sheet; Visit our Clean Energy page to get details on free or low-cost energy efficiency programs your utility may offer; Read CUB’s Guide to Going Green. Consider Solar There’s never been a better time in Illinois history to go solar. But not everyone can install panels on their property (people who have a lot of shade, or apartment dwellers). But in Illinois, you can still get the benefits of solar power without having to install solar panels on your roof. Community Solar allows you to subscribe to a portion of the output of a solar installation (a.k.a. community solar garden) somewhere in your utility’s territory to offset part of your electricity usage. Check out our Solar in the Community website for more information–currently, all of the companies offering community solar subscriptions offer savings for consumers. The program is open to all customers, no matter your income. In fact, the Illinois Solar for All program is designed for income-qualified customers and guarantees savings up to 20 percent – our ILSFA landing page has details. Learn more about geothermal heat pumps (and other heat pumps) What better way to celebrate Earth Week than to learn how the Earth can help you cut your utility bills? Much like a refrigerator, heat pump systems utilize electricity to move heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa. Depending on the season, geothermal heat pumps use electricity to move heat from the ground to your home and or from your home to the ground, and CUB Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator David Weaver reports that geothermal can reduce energy costs by up to 70 percent compared with traditional heating and cooling systems. That’s why CUB has launched its first-ever geothermal group-buy program. Grow Geo, in partnership with Midwest Renewable Energy Association and the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois, is designed to help Chicago-area consumers install a geothermal heat pump system at a discount and cut their utility bills going forward. Maybe you’re not ready to make the leap yet, but knowledge is power: Attend a presentation on the program (they’re called Power Hours) to educate yourself about geothermal heat pumps. If geothermal isn’t right for you, learn more about another efficient alternative, air source heat pumps. Plant native trees for Enviroscaping Get your hands dirty–and plant […]

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Demand response: a win for you, the environment, and the grid

Hannah — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 19:47:23 +0000

Demand response programs are opportunities for consumers to take an active role in lowering their electric bills, reducing stress on the electric grid, and cutting pollution. Sounds like a good deal. But what are “demand response” programs? At their core, all demand response programs incentivize consumers to shift their electricity usage away from “peak” times—when electricity demand threatens to outpace the available electricity supply. For example, a hot summer afternoon or a cold winter morning. By choosing to put off energy-demanding chores until off-peak times, like running the dishwasher overnight or doing laundry early in the morning, consumers help reduce demand. But what does reducing demand do? For one, it helps lower your power bill. Utilities often offer bill credits or lower rates to consumers who successfully participate in demand response programs. For example, participants in ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program save an average of 15 percent on the supply portion of their bills. But shifting usage doesn’t just save you money. Demand response lowers the cost of electricity in wholesale markets, too, meaning lower rates for everyone. Power grid reliability also benefits from these programs, leading to fewer power outages. And they help protect the environment. During peak demand times, “peaker” plants come online to help meet the extra demand, even if it’s only for a few hours a year. These plants are often polluting fossil fuel generators, so reducing peak demand also means you reduce pollution. You may not realize it, but there’s a lot of opportunity to participate in demand response. See what options your utility offers: ComEd’s Hourly Pricing and Ameren’s Power Smart Pricing These programs charge customers a supply rate that changes hourly, instead of the standard price that changes only a few times a year. ComEd’s Peak Time Savings and Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards These two programs reward participants with bill credits when they reduce electricity use during certain “peak” savings events, usually hot summer afternoons when electricity demand is highest. These are the easiest demand response programs and CUB recommends them for most anybody. ComEd’s Central AC Cycling program Through this program, ComEd sends signals to your home to “cycle” the flow of power to your cooling unit (i.e. to turn the cooling on and off) at peak times of energy usage across ComEd territory. Cycling is only done when needed, and it will occur on specific days for limited periods of time. Many program participants have noted that they haven’t even noticed a difference in their homes during cycling events. For signing up, you get a monthly credit on your bill from June through September.

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Advocates urge City Council to propose cheaper, cleaner way to heat new buildings in Chicago

Sophia — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 18:58:25 +0000

Today, advocates gathered at City Hall to urge the Chicago City Council to pass a “Clean Buildings, Clean Air” ordinance that would establish emissions standards for newly constructed buildings. The ordinance would ensure new buildings in Chicago are built to be fossil-free with efficient appliances that lead to improved indoor air quality and energy bill savings for future homeowners and tenants. At a news conference outside City Council chambers (watch the video), members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) spoke about the urgency of passing a local “Clean Buildings, Clean Air” ordinance that would set emissions standards for new construction projects, similar to laws passed in other major cities, including Boston, New York City and Los Angeles. In Chicago, where the burning of gas accounts for nearly two-thirds of carbon emissions, the ordinance would be a key component to an overall plan for equitably transitioning to cheaper and cleaner ways to heat and power buildings. Supporters hope to get such an ordinance proposed and passed as soon as possible. “Chicago is in a heating-affordability crisis because gas prices have hurtled out of control – and that was before Peoples Gas proposed another staggering rate hike this month,” said David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a nonprofit consumer watchdog group. “But the good news is that we can adopt construction standards that move away from dirty, expensive gas, curb heating bills in the long-run, and protect our health and the environment.” Last year, Chicago announced its transition to 100% renewable energy for government buildings by 2025, making it one of the largest city governments in the country to commit to reducing its carbon footprint. Then in October 2022, the City-created Chicago Building Decarbonization Working Group (CBDWG) released a report on how Chicago could transition to cleaner buildings in a way that benefitted and protected the bottom lines of all consumers, including those in environmental justice communities. The working group recommended drastically cutting fossil fuel use and improving energy efficiency in new construction projects. One of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions would be through building electrification—replacing gas equipment such as furnaces and stoves with cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient electric counterparts, including heat pumps and induction stovetops. “Chicago must move away from dangerous, expensive and outdated methods of heating our homes, and we must not leave behind communities already disproportionately impacted by pollution,” said Pastor Scott Onqué, policy director of Faith in Place, a faith-based environmental justice nonprofit. “We have a real opportunity to improve community health, create more equitable clean energy jobs, make bills more affordable and fight our shared climate crisis.” Not only are affordability and sustainability issues for consumers, but so are the health impacts of using natural gas heating. “The cost of natural gas is too high. It’s not just our bank accounts that are suffering, but it’s also our health. Neighborhoods like mine already face disproportionate health impacts due to a long legacy of environmental racism in Chicago,” said Adella Bass, lead health equity organizer for People for Community Recovery, an environmental justice nonprofit based in Altgeld Gardens. “Moving […]

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Sunshine & poses: Skokie resident’s solar snapshot wins CUB’s Clean Energy Scavenger Hunt

Sophia — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:33:10 +0000

Congratulations to Robert of Skokie for winning CUB’s Clean Energy Scavenger Hunt! We asked for clean energy-themed photos, and his picture was randomly selected out of all the submissions to win $100. Check out his winning photo, featuring his brother in front of a school outfitted with solar panels in Skokie: “I attended a CUB ‘Utility Bill Checkup’ about 5 years ago,” Robert said. “Since then I peruse my utility bills every month.” Keep reading those bills, Robert! Big thanks to you and all the CUB supporters who sent in a photo of themselves, a pet or a family member and a symbol of clean energy–solar panels, electric vehicles, even a light bulb. CUB was happy to see all the creative submissions. For information about renewable energy and efficiency tips, go to CUB’s Clean Energy page. Here are some of the fantastic submissions we received: .

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Here’s what Illinois consumers need to know about Inflation Reduction Act clean energy benefits

Elizabeth — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 21:00:03 +0000

Now that the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been signed into law, many consumers are wondering how they can benefit from the money-saving, clean energy provisions in the bill. The IRA represents much needed relief at a time when 1 in 6 homes in America are behind on their utility payments. Below are the major ways consumers can take advantage of the new legislation: Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Each year for the next decade, consumers can claim a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of qualified projects that make their home less drafty or improve energy efficiency, to an annual limit of $1,200 credit. These incentives include: Up to $600 for highly efficient central air conditioners; electric panel upgrades; and water heaters, furnaces and water boilers that run on natural gas, propane or oil. These products must meet Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s highest efficiency tier. Up to $150 for a home energy audit $600 for new energy-efficient exterior windows or skylights $500 for exterior doors Heat Pumps and wood burning stoves If you purchase an energy-efficient electric or heat pump for space heating and cooling or a heat pump water heater, you qualify for 30 percent tax credits up to $2,000. Tax credits are also available for highly rated stoves and boilers that generate heat from burning wood or other biomass feedstocks. The credits for heat pumps or biomass stoves and boilers don’t count against the $1,200 annual limit for the home energy efficiency tax credit detailed in the previous section. Electrification rebates The Inflation Reduction Act includes $4.5 billion over 10 years for state and tribal programs that discount or fund electrification and efficiency projects or appliances for lower and moderate-income households. The bill defines lower-income households by annual incomes less than 80 percent of the area median income. Moderate income is defined by annual income no greater than 150 percent of the median. (Learn how to find your area median income.) The lowest-income households are eligible for point-of-sale rebates covering the full cost of certain electrical appliances or efficiency projects. Moderate-income individuals and families can get half off. The cumulative rebates available to each household total $14,000. The law sets rebate caps for selected electric product classes. There is up to $8,000 available for purchasing space heating and cooling heat pumps. For heat pump water heaters, the maximum is $1,750. For electric stoves, it’s $840. The high-efficiency electric home rebates should also cover half or all the cost of upgrading electric panels up to a $4,000 limit. Other covered services are electrical work, with a $2,500 maximum, and insulation projects, up to $1,600. Solar, batteries and geothermal Thanks to the new law, the existing 22 percent solar panel tax credit has been immediately bumped to 30 percent for the next decade. This tax credit is available now, so it’s a great time to look into your local solar group-buy programs, like Grow Solar Chicagoland. There’s also a tax credit for home battery units with more than 3 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, allowing the benefits of solar generation to stretch into shorter winter days. For […]

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