Alternative suppliers Archives | Citizens Utility Board

CUB Issues Alert Against Bad Alternative Supplier Deals

Elizabeth — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:54:47 +0000

In the wake of a significant drop in Ameren Illinois’ price for electricity, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) put out a warning against bad alternative supplier deals Wednesday. The watchdog urged consumers to review the “Electric Supply” section of their bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including supplier offers negotiated by local governments. CUB stressed that it is likely that Ameren Illinois’ supply price is your best bet. Ameren’s non-summer power price (October 2025 through May 2026): 8.402¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 800 kWh of usage. (Appears as 0.08402 on your bill.) 7.483¢ per kWh for electricity usage beyond 800 kWh. (Appears as 0.07483 on your bill.) The prices above include the supply price + a transmission charge + a supply cost adjustment. Please be advised: Ameren’s non-summer price represents a more than 30 percent reduction from Ameren’s supply price over the summer. Consumers can choose to stay with Ameren Illinois for supply or go with an alternative supplier. Among the choices in the market, many communities have “municipal aggregation” offers that local leaders have negotiated with an alternative supplier. If you go with an alternative supplier, you still get a bill from Ameren, with the alternative supplier charges included. To see if you’re with another supplier, look in two places on Ameren bills: “Electric Supply” and “Details From Your Electric Supplier.” If a company other than Ameren Illinois is listed, you are with an alternative supplier. In the “Electric Supply” section, you should be able to see the per kWh price you’re paying with that supplier. See how it compares with the Ameren supply price CUB lists above. If you want to end the offer, call the alternative supplier using the phone number for the company that is listed in the “Details From Your Electric Supplier” section. It can take up to two months to switch back to your utility. If you think you were fraudulently signed up, tell the supplier you want a refund. If you don’t like the supplier’s response, file a complaint with CUB, at 1-800-669-5556. A recent CUB review of state electricity choice reports revealed that Illinois consumers have lost more than $2 billion to alternative electricity suppliers over the last decade. In Springfield, CUB will continue to push for reforms, such as House Bill 1284, which would require a customer signature if the supplier wants to increase its rate at the time of auto renewal.

The post CUB Issues Alert Against Bad Alternative Supplier Deals appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

Notice: Beware of bad electricity deals

Elizabeth — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:36:54 +0000

In a year when electricity prices have been high, you may get targeted advertisements or offers in the mail tempting you to switch to an alternative supplier. But remember that alternative electricity suppliers are often impacted by the same market conditions that cause utility prices to go up. Be careful about getting lured into bad deals. CUB urges consumers to review the “Supply” section of their power bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including ”municipal aggregation” offers negotiated by local governments. It’s important to know your utility’s “price to compare,” which is the price you compare to alternative supplier offers: ComEd’s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026): 9.689¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (Appears as 0.09689 on bills.) This price includes the supply price plus a transmission charge. Ameren’s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026): 8.402¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 800 kWh of usage. (Appears as 0.08402 on your bill.) 7.483¢ per kWh for electricity usage beyond 800 kWh. (Appears as 0.07483 on your bill.) These include the supply price plus a transmission charge plus a supply cost adjustment. IMPORTANT: Ameren’s price is +30% lower than what it was this past summer. If an alternative supplier promises savings, don’t take their word for it. Compare the price they quote you to your utility’s supply prices listed above. (The current price to compare for your utility also should be listed on your electric bill, and can be found on CUB’s Electric page and at plugin.illinois.gov.) While many customers may want the opportunity to shop around, there are a lot of pitfalls. A CUB review of state electricity choice reports found that Illinois consumers have lost more than $2 billion to alternative electricity suppliers over the last decade. An alternative supplier may offer a low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long a rate lasts, and what the new rate will be after the introductory period.) Also, be wary of add-on fees that can raise the cost of the plan. If a supplier offers a lower fixed supply price, scan the fine print for a ”force majeure” clause that allows the company to back out of the deal. (It’s happened before during high-priced times.) You could be on a “municipal aggregation” deal. (Check this state resource to see if your community has a power deal.) Municipal aggregation is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier to secure an electricity price for all residents who don’t opt out of the offer. But savings aren’t guaranteed, and CUB has received reports of community power deals with high rates. If you’re on a community power deal, confirm the price, how it compares with the utility’s supply rate, and for how long the contract is. You should be able to opt-out of any aggregation offer without paying an exit fee. CUB’s tips on avoiding bad alternative supplier deals: Know the utility supply rate and how it compares to the offer. It is likely the utility supply price is your best bet. Make sure the offer is not an introductory rate […]

The post Notice: Beware of bad electricity deals appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

Grim milestone: CUB review of state data finds ComEd, Ameren residential customers have lost more than $2B to alternative power suppliers over last decade

Elizabeth — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:33:05 +0000

Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois residential customers have lost a combined total of more than $258 million over the last year and more than $2 billion since 2015 to alternative electricity suppliers, according to a CUB review of annual state reports. The watchdog called for state passage of additional consumer protections and warned residential consumers across Illinois to beware of rip-offs peddled by alternative suppliers door-to-door, via mail and over the phone. “The numbers show that going with an alternative supplier can be a risky, financially painful gamble,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “This is a buyer-beware market. There are more reliable ways to save money, including energy efficiency.” While ComEd and Ameren bill customers for delivering electricity over the power lines they own, under Illinois law, those customers can choose another company—an alternative supplier–to supply the actual electricity. The Illinois Commerce Commission’s Office of Retail Market Development (ORMD), which focuses on electricity competition, recently released its 2025 annual report, covering June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025. Some findings: As of May 2025, about 1.18 million Illinois households were with an alternative supplier—about a 14 percent decrease from the year before. About 20 percent of ComEd residential customers are with an alternative supplier, and about 43 percent of Ameren customers. ComEd customers who were with an alternative supplier on average paid about 2.74 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) more, compared with ComEd’s supply price. Ameren customers who were with an alternative supplier on average paid about 1.78 cents per kWh more, compared with Ameren’s supply rate. The highest alternative supplier rates the ICC found were a 39 cents per kWh variable rate (a rate that can change monthly) in ComEd territory, and a 29 cents per kWh variable rate in Ameren territory. Both prices were about four to six times the utility supply prices at the time. In the early days of competition—2011 to 2014—Illinoisans often saved money with alternative suppliers, mainly because utilities were locked into higher-priced electricity contracts. But after those contracts ended, suppliers had a harder time beating utility prices, according to CUB’s review of ORMD reports. Total Losses, ComEd customers Total Losses, Ameren customers June 2015-May 2016 $115.2 million (lost) $10.6 million (lost) June 2016-May 2017 $152.1 million (lost) $45.9 million (lost) June 2017-May 2018 $138.2 million (lost) $89.3 million (lost) June 2018-May 2019 $124.2 million (lost) $121.9 million (lost) June 2019-May 2020 $144.5 million (lost) $107.4 million (lost) June 2020-May 2021 $240.2 million (lost) $167.2 million (lost) June 2021-May 2022 $112.2 million (lost) $24.0 million (lost) June 2022-May 2023 $82.7 million (lost) $66.3 million (saved) June 2023-May 2024 $175.7 million (lost) $122.5 million (lost) June 2024-May 2025 $171.6 million (lost) $86.6 million (lost) Totals: $1.46 billion (lost) $709.1 million (lost) Grand Total: $2.17 billion (lost) Illinois passed landmark consumer protections in 2019, with the Home Energy Affordability and Transparency (HEAT) Act. But now CUB calls on Illinois legislators to build off the HEAT Act and pass additional common-sense reforms in House Bill 1284. The bill would require a customer signature if a supplier wants to increase an offer’s rate at the time of renewal. It […]

The post Grim milestone: CUB review of state data finds ComEd, Ameren residential customers have lost more than $2B to alternative power suppliers over last decade appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

In memoriam: CUB Board Treasurer Kris Thomsen

Elizabeth — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:58:56 +0000

CUB is sad to report that L. Kristofer Thomsen, a longtime member of the CUB Board of Directors and its current treasurer, has passed away. Kris, a retired English teacher at Thornridge High School in Dolton, had been dealing with health issues in recent years. He died on Friday at the age of 81. Kris first joined the CUB Board in 2005, and over his 19 years of service CUB leaders deeply appreciated his loyal support of the staff. Kris’ own, loveable brand of toughness became legendary in the CUB hallways. “Kris was a lovely person with a strong sense of justice who imposed his will on the world with fierce bluntness and hilarious sarcasm,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “We’ve lost a great friend and champion for the organization.” Kris brought a teacher-like standard of excellence to his Board Treasurer duties. Sarah remembered when, as director of the Outreach Department, she would instruct new hires on CUB’s credit card and reimbursement policies by saying: “Imagine defending your purchases to Kris Thomsen.” CUB Board Vice President Candice Justice, who serves the first Congressional District, had fond memories of that Kris Thomsen toughness. “He did not…suffer fools gladly,” she said. “But I found it to be part of his charm.” So was his generosity. Kris was a willing participant in CUB fundraising campaigns, and in years past he volunteered at multiple CUB utility bills clinics that were sometimes hours from home. “He was a force – I don’t know how else to put it,” Candice said. “One of the most generous people I’ve ever known.” Kris, the CUB staff thanks you for your dedication to CUB. We will miss you, but always strive to live up to your tough standards. Rest in peace.

The post In memoriam: CUB Board Treasurer Kris Thomsen appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

Rip-off Alert: Paying more than triple for power?

Jim Chilsen — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 14:41:35 +0000

This summer CUB found consumers in different parts of Illinois paying an electricity supply rate with Clearview Energy that was more than triple what they would have paid with their utilities. At a utility-bill clinic in Lansing in June, CUB found that Dan was paying Clearview 22.99 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared with ComEd’s price of about 6.9 cents per kWh. In August, Chelsea of Tolono, contacted CUB (CitizensUtilityBoard.org/Contact) after discovering she was paying 26.49 cents per kWh, compared with Ameren’s rate of about 8.1 cents per kWh. “I am a working single mom and had to take out a loan to pay the back charges to keep my power on due to the extortion rate being charged,” Chelsea said. “This is wrong on so many levels.” Chelsea was refunded about $739. Dan didn’t get a refund, but he did drop Clearview. “You helped me save money,” he told CUB. “Keep up the good work.” CUB has reported that Illinois consumers have lost $1.8 billion to alternative electric supplies since 2015. Read more about this problem here, and check out CUB’s tips.

The post Rip-off Alert: Paying more than triple for power? appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

CUB: ComEd, Ameren customers have lost $1.8B to alternative power suppliers since 2015; consumer group issues statewide warning against bad deals

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 16:59:43 +0000

Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois customers who have chosen alternative electricity suppliers have lost a combined total of about $297 million over the last year and $1.8 billion since 2015, CUB says, citing annual state reports on electricity competition. While ComEd and Ameren deliver electricity to their customers over the power lines they own, under Illinois law those customers can choose another company to supply the actual electricity. As of May 2024, about 1.37 million Illinois residential consumers were with another supplier—a 22 percent increase from the year before. On Tuesday, CUB issued a statewide warning, urging Illinois consumers to beware of rip-offs peddled by alternative suppliers door-to-door, via mail and over the phone. (Watch CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz talking about this very topic on NBC 5 Chicago.) “Far too many Illinois consumers have suffered skyrocketing power bills because of an alternative electricity supplier. Going with an alternative offer pitched by a sales rep is a gamble you are likely to lose,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “There are more reliable ways to reduce electric bills, including energy efficiency.” The Illinois Commerce Commission’s Office of Retail Market Development (ORMD), which focuses on electricity competition, recently released its 2024 annual report, covering June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024: ComEd customers who were with an alternative supplier on average paid about 3 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) more, compared with ComEd’s supply price. Customers in Ameren territory who were with an alternative supplier on average paid about 2.4 cents per kWh more compared with Ameren’s supply rate. The highest alternative supplier rate the ICC found in ComEd territory was a 38.4 cents per kWh variable rate (a rate that can change monthly) in June 2023. In the same month, the ICC found a variable rate of 39.5 cents per kWh in Ameren territory. Both prices were about five times the utility supply price at the time. In the early days of competition—from June 2011 through May 2014—many people saved money with alternative suppliers, mainly because utilities were locked into more expensive electricity contracts. Once the utility contracts ended, competing suppliers had more difficulty beating the utility’s supply rate. Since then, the results have been dismal for consumers, according to CUB’s review of ORMD reports since 2015. Total Losses, ComEd customers Total Losses, Ameren customers June 2015-May 2016 $115.2 million (lost) $10.6 million (lost) June 2016-May 2017 $152.1 million (lost) $45.9 million (lost) June 2017-May 2018 $138.2 million (lost) $89.3 million (lost) June 2018-May 2019 $124.2 million (lost) $121.9 million (lost) June 2019-May 2020 $144.5 million (lost) $107.4 million (lost) June 2020-May 2021 $240.2 million (lost) $167.2 million (lost) June 2021-May 2022 $112.2 million (lost) $24.1 million (lost) June 2022-May 2023 $82.7 million (lost) $66.3 million (saved) June 2023-May 2024 $175.0 million (lost) $122.5 million (lost) Totals: $1.3 billion (lost) $501 million (lost) Grand Total: $1.8 billion (lost) In its 40th anniversary year, CUB said alternative supplier rip-offs are a top concern. Tips from CUB: Check the “Supply” section of your electric bill to see if you’re paying for an alternative supplier. Some customers have told us they didn’t realize they were […]

The post CUB: ComEd, Ameren customers have lost $1.8B to alternative power suppliers since 2015; consumer group issues statewide warning against bad deals appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

CUB Q&A on the Realgy Settlement

Jim Chilsen — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:47:53 +0000

Former customers of alternative electric and gas supplier Realgy, LLC, have called CUB with questions about a check they were mailed. An accompanying message explains that the check is related to a settlement the staff of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and CUB reached with the supplier. The check is legitimate. This Q&A gives details on the settlement. Why did I receive a check? You are a former customer of Realgy, and this is a refund you are entitled to receive under a legal settlement that was recently approved by the ICC, the state body that enforces sales and marketing rules alternative electric and gas suppliers are required to follow in Illinois. What is the legal settlement about? In April of 2021, the ICC launched an investigation of Realgy (Docket No. 21-0364) for charging an extremely high fee, called the “Real Time Settlement,” or “RTS.” The supplier claimed the fee was related to the bitter cold that descended on the southern United States, including Texas, in February of that year, and the resulting price spikes in the energy market. (CUB received reports of extremely high charges on Realgy bills: One commercial customer reported a $19,867 RTS charge, and an Evanston consumer saw his Realgy bill jump by more than $2,000 from January to February of 2021.) In March of 2022, nearly a year after the probe started, the staff of the ICC alleged that the company was not allowed to charge such a fee under the terms and conditions of its contract with customers, and that the supplier had violated marketing and sales rules and laws. Eventually, the parties agreed to a settlement that was approved by the ICC on Nov. 16, 2023. Realgy did not admit fault as part of that settlement. What are the terms of the settlement? Under the settlement, Realgy… Surrendered its certificates to do business in Illinois as an alternative gas and electric supplier for residential and small commercial customers. (It can continue to serve large commercial customers.) Agreed, without charging any fees, to allow all its Illinois residential and small business customers to go back to the utility for supply service or, if they wished, to another supplier. Paid out $1,037,608 million. $150,000 of that is for the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s energy-assistance fund for lower-income customers. The rest, $887,608, is devoted to refunding Realgy residential and small commercial customers who were assessed the RTS fee. Is there a deadline to use the check? Yes. The letter that went out to customers says any check not cashed or deposited will be void after 180 days (roughly six months) after the date on the check. CUB recommends you act promptly to cash or deposit the check. If you miss the 180-day deadline there are other opportunities to secure the refund. Within 30 days after the void date, Realgy is required to send a replacement check that is valid for 90 days. Also, during this refund period, if an eligible customer contacts Realgy for a replacement check, and they have not already cashed or deposited a check, the company is required to provide a […]

The post CUB Q&A on the Realgy Settlement appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

CUB analysis: Read alternative supplier offers carefully (and watch for red flags)

Elizabeth — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:52:41 +0000

Have you received an envelope in the mail that at first glance looks like it could be an urgent message from your utility company? Be careful: It could be another alternative supplier offer. Such a mailing can be common in Illinois and other states with competitive electricity choice. But here’s why you need to be careful. Since 2015, Illinois consumers have lost more than $1.6 billion to alternative electricity suppliers, according to CUB’s review of reports from the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Office of Retail Market Development. A couple of CUB staffers have reported getting supplier marketing in the mail–this one is from Clean Choice Energy. If you do get an offer, it’s up to you whether to sign up. Read the fine print carefully, and watch for these possible red flags: The envelope displays the name of your utility and includes urgent messaging (IMPORTANT ENERGY UPDATE, CONFIRMATION REQUESTED, etc.). Consumers enrolled with e-billing will know that this is not their utility’s typical contact method, but this mailing could be more confusing and concerning if you usually get paper bills. An envelope listing “Utility Company: ComEd” and “Enclosed: Authorization Form” can confuse consumers into thinking it’s an official note from their power company. In this case, you can see that the mailing is from a third party–a company other than your utility. The pitch sounds like clean energy is being pumped into your home. On a letter displaying an all-caps heading (IMPORTANT NOTICE ACTION REQUESTED), the mailer proclaims “Get 100% clean, pollution-free energy.” The initial advertising may sound like you’re getting clean energy directly pumped into your home. But this isn’t the case. Short of having a solar installation on your roof, nobody can control the sources of their electricity. When you sign up for a “green offer” from an alternative supplier, you are buying “renewable energy credits.” That means the clean energy you are paying for is being added somewhere on the grid, probably not your TV or microwave. And unless it expressly says so, that clean energy isn’t guaranteed to be from a solar or wind farm in your state. If you’re motivated by clean energy, a better bet is most likely subscribing to a community solar program, so you’ll save money and help reduce pollution in your community. Note: CUB isn’t opposed to people shopping for green plans, we just hate to see people paying for needlessly expensive ones. Your community may offer a municipal aggregation deal with a more reasonably priced clean energy offer. High price. What’s the rate being advertised and how does it stack up to your utility’s price listed on CUB’s electric page? In this example, when you get past all the talk about rewards and 100 percent clean energy, CUB found on the backside of the letter that you would get charged a rate fixed for 12 months that was about 60 percent higher than ComEd’s rate at the time. (If the price does seem reasonable, watch for seemingly low introductory rates that skyrocket after a brief period. Always ask if the price you’re being offered is a promotional rate.) Automatic renewal. The offer in […]

The post CUB analysis: Read alternative supplier offers carefully (and watch for red flags) appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

CUB speaks out: Beware of bad deals from energy suppliers

Jim Chilsen — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:56:56 +0000

Many consumers wonder if they should switch to an alternative supplier to cut down on their electric or gas bills. But beware, these enticing offers are many times not as good as they seem. In fact, Illinois consumers have lost $2 billion to alternative electric suppliers since 2015. CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz has appeared on WGN radio and in the Chicago Sun-Times to warn customers about rip-offs peddled by alternative suppliers. Read CUB’s simple tips: The utility is likely your best bet. Visit CUB’s gas and electric pages to see what the utilities are charging, so you can compare the utility supply price to any price that an alternative supplier offers. If you shop, be wary of: A low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long a rate lasts, and what the new rate will be.) Add-on monthly fees that raise the cost of the plan. (Scan the fine print.) Force majeure. Companies charging a fixed rate, which would presumably protect a customer from a spike in prices, could claim “force majeure.” That’s a legal term to describe a company claiming it can no longer honor a contract because of unforeseeable circumstances beyond its control. Read the fine print. Remember, going with an alternative supplier will NOT protect you from utility rate hikes. Those hikes impact delivery rates, what we pay the utilities to deliver gas and electricity to our homes. Everyone pays those rates, even if they’re with an alternative supplier. Be wary about showing your bill to just anybody. If somebody comes to your door and says they want to look at your electricity or gas bills, don’t hand it over OR give out your account number, unless you are absolutely sure you want to sign up. A sales rep who sees your bill can get your account number and sign you up for a deal without your permission–a scam called “slamming.” Any decision you make about your utility bills is important, and you don’t have to make it on your doorstep. Don’t give out any sensitive info, even if the person at the door claims to be from the utility company. Instead, ask where you can get more information about the offer and end the conversation. If you want to sign up, watch your bill carefully. Be prepared to get out of the offer if you notice it stops saving you money– you should be able to get out with no penalty. With electricity supply, check if your community has negotiated a “municipal aggregation” deal. Municipal aggregation is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier to secure a reasonable electricity price. Savings aren’t guaranteed, but your community may have secured a lower supply rate than your utility. Just make sure to find out when the offer expires. Read our fact sheets on energy choice for Nicor Gas customers, North Shore/Peoples Gas customers, ComEd customers and Ameren customers. Remember, there are other ways to reduce your bills that are more reliable than switching to an alternative supplier. For example, practice energy efficiency. The utilities offer no- and low-cost programs to help cut costs.

The post CUB speaks out: Beware of bad deals from energy suppliers appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

As ComEd and Ameren charge new winter rates, CUB issues statewide warning on alternative supplier rip-offs

Elizabeth — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:55:30 +0000

As of October, ComEd and Ameren Illinois are charging new electricity supply rates, and customers should know what they are to avoid bad deals peddled by alternative electricity suppliers, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Thursday in a statewide consumer warning. The non-summer prices, through May 2024, are listed on PlugInIllinois.org, the electric choice website maintained by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Ameren Illinois: 8.107¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 800 kWh of usage. Every kWh beyond that is 7.094¢ per kWh. (This is Ameren’s supply price + a transmission charge + a supply cost adjustment.) ComEd: 6.872¢ per kWh. (This is ComEd’s supply price plus a transmission charge.) ComEd and Ameren bill customers to deliver the electricity to their homes, but those customers have the right to choose either their utility or an alternative company to supply the actual electricity. The utility supply rates above are called the “price to compare”—the rate customers should compare to alternative supplier offers pitched to them. “People should beware of bad deals offered by alternative electricity suppliers door-to-door, over the phone and via mail,” CUB Director of Communications Jim Chilsen said. “We have seen painfully high prices peddled by suppliers–this is a buyer-beware market. The safest and most reliable way to save money on your electric bills is through energy efficiency.” Since 2015, Illinois consumers have lost more than $1.6 billion to alternative electricity suppliers, according to CUB’s review of reports from the ICC’s Office of Retail Market Development. Just this fall, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office sued Residents Energy LLC for alleged “deceptive and unfair tactics” that tripled the energy costs of some customers. And the ICC recently ordered Switch Energy, a supplier no longer doing business in Illinois, to pay about $2.16 million in total penalties for wide-ranging violations of ICC rules and state law. “The Company has demonstrated a behavior of prioritizing sales over critical consumer protection measures,” the ICC said in its final order. A review of alternative supplier prices listed on PlugInIllinois.org in October found many charging higher rates than the utilities, with the worst prices 10 cents per kWh on up. At a recent utility bill clinic in Alton, CUB staffers saw customers paying alternative supplier prices of 14 cents per kWh, 16 cents per kWh and 20 cents per kWh. CUB’s Outreach Director recently saw a ComEd customer paying an alternative supplier 10.99 cents per kWh. These prices were all significantly higher than the utility supply rates, raising concerns among CUB staffers. Knowing the “price to compare” helps consumers avoid bad deals and make informed decisions about their power bills. Visit CUB’s Electric page to find fact sheets about making the best choices in the electricity market. Other tips: Read your bills. Look at the “Supply” sections of your ComEd or Ameren bill. If another company is listed there, check what supply rate you’re paying and how it compares with your utility’s supply price. Be wary about showing your bill to just anybody. If somebody comes to your door and says they want to look at your electricity bill, don’t hand it […]

The post As ComEd and Ameren charge new winter rates, CUB issues statewide warning on alternative supplier rip-offs appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.