CUB Action Network Archives | Citizens Utility Board

Act now for our power bills, our power grid – Support the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act

Elizabeth — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:22:39 +0000

We need your help to push for new legislation–the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act–which would implement a number of reforms that are good for clean, affordable and reliable electricity. As you know, ComEd customers are set to pay higher supply prices on June 1, due to poor policy from the organization, PJM Interconnection, that runs northern Illinois’ power grid. This organization–as well as the other power grid operator in Illinois, MISO– tends to favor expensive fossil fuel power plans, at our expense. But the CRGA Act would implement a wide range of reforms. Among other things, it would improve: Improve energy efficiency for all customers. Promote wise power grid planning. Create a Solar Bill of Rights to protect people who want to install money-saving solar panels from unfair local laws. Give people access to flexible “time of use” electricity rates so they can save money during the day when market power prices are low. Our power grid is in need of a number of reforms at the regional and federal level, but the states have a role too. The CRGA Act would be a significant step in the right direction–it’s part of the solution!. Please take action: Urge the Illinois General Assembly to support the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Senate Bill 2473/ House Bill 3779) to protect our power bills and our power grid.

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News Release: Groups deliver more than 5,000 public comments calling for reform of Peoples Gas pipe replacement program

Elizabeth — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:30:11 +0000

As utility regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) near a final decision on its year-long investigation into the troubled Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program, consumer and environmental organizations delivered more than 5,000 public comments calling for reform. “On behalf of AARP’s 250,000 members in Chicago and all older adults in the city, we continue to oppose Peoples Gas’ relentless requests for ratepayers to foot the bill for its failed pipeline-replacement program,” said Al Hollenbeck, State President of AARP Illinois. “At a time when older adults are already struggling to pay skyrocketing gas bills and are having to make tough choices about whether to heat their homes or skip prescriptions and basic necessities, Peoples Gas is asking them to give more toward a program that is already vastly overbudget, behind- schedule and has yet to show any measurable improvement in the safety of the system.” The pipe replacement program, cost estimates for which have grown from $1 billion to more than $12.8 billion, was the primary driver of the record $305 million Peoples Gas rate hike approved in November 2023, as well as six consecutive years of record Peoples Gas profits. As part of the 2023 rate decision, the ICC paused the pipeline program and launched an investigation (Docket 24-0081) into how it was managed. “The mismanaged Peoples Gas pipe-replacement program has been a financial disaster for Chicago residents, and it’s frightening to think it could get even worse if state regulators don’t rein in the utility’s reckless spending,” CUB Outreach Director Ivonne Rychwa said. “We join the thousands of consumers who have signed petitions to urge the ICC to overhaul the pipe-replacement program so that Peoples Gas efficiently replaces unsafe pipes and doesn’t use the program as simply a tool to pad its profits.” A draft decision in the investigation would allow Peoples Gas to resume its troubled program without implementing meaningful reforms. The proposed order, authored by two Administrative Law Judges, would also require that the program speed up in order to conclude by 2035. To do so, Peoples Gas would likely need to spend an estimated $550 to $650 million per year, more than twice the average level of annual spending that was the primary driver of Peoples Gas’ record-breaking rate hike in 2023. “The Peoples Gas pipe replacement program prioritizes methane gas system expansion over public safety, driving up our bills and unnecessarily expanding fossil fuel infrastructure without cost-effectively making us safer,” said Illinois PIRG Director Abe Scarr. “We join the thousands of Peoples Gas customers calling on the ICC to reform the program to cost less, make us safer, and facilitate the transition to clean energy.” The final ICC decision will likely be different. In recent high profile proceedings, the five members of the commission have significantly amended proposed orders to take tougher positions towards utilities. Oral argument is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 and a final decision is expected in February.

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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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Biggest bank hack ever

Jennifer — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:28:38 +0000

Tell Congress: Protect my private data now If there’s any time to urge Congress to do more to protect our personal information, it’s now. Capital One just announced that a hacker got her hands on the personal information of 106 million customers. That includes credit scores, bank account numbers and 140,000 Social Security Numbers. One watchdog called it the worst bank hack ever. That news came only a week after the Federal Trade Commission announced a $700 million settlement of the Equifax data breach of 2017, which affected 147 million Americans. $700 million is less than a quarter’s worth of the company’s 2017 revenue. These penalties aren’t sufficient to force corporations to improve. These days experts recommend you should just assume that scammers already have your data. Enough is enough! Read tips on what you should do if you’re a Capital One customer. Send a message to Congress to demand better privacy laws. $100 prize in Photo Challenge As part of our year-long 35th anniversary celebration, CUB wants you to send us your best photos (with this CUB poster). You could win $100! Read all about it. Rave reviews for CUB study CUB’s new study suggests low-income electric customers may be paying more than their fair share. Consumer advocates and energy observers are praising the analysis: “Every state deserves a group this good,” tweeted one fan from Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Tell Gov. Pritzker what Washington did

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 17:18:45 +0000

Why our fight just got more urgent: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this summer officially rolled back power-plant regulations designed to make our electricity cleaner and more affordable. As Washington does everything it can to prop up failing, expensive and dirty coal-fired power plants, it’s vital that Illinois become a national leader in passing legislation that secures clean, low-cost energy for its residents: the CUB-supported Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). Please sign our petition to new Gov. J.B. Pritzker, urging him to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Yes to clean, low-cost energy: The Chicago Sun-Times urged support for good energy legislation like the Clean Energy Jobs Act: Illinoisans “enjoy lower bills than people in surrounding states, and that advantage must be protected.” CUB’s Clean Bill Campaign: This summer we plan to hold 120 events over 12 weeks as part of our 35th Anniversary Clean Bill Campaign. Big thanks to The Southern in Carbondale for printing CUB’s summer dos and don’ts.

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You vs. expensive power plants

Jennifer — Tue, 28 May 2019 14:28:22 +0000

All this year, you’ve been a big help fighting bad proposals in Springfield. And it’s paying off. The bad bills have been stalled and the energy bill that CUB supports—the Clean Energy Jobs Act—is gaining traction for the Fall Veto Session in November. But there’s one more bill we need to fight before the regular legislative session ends in a few days—and it’s vital we make sure to block this legislation, because it would increase your bills. NRG, Illinois’ second-largest coal plant operator, is pushing legislation that would eliminate money-saving energy efficiency measures and potentially give the company a bailout of up to $300 million a year. Why do we want to pay more on our electric bills to give failing, expensive power plants a boost? The last thing we want is for NRG to slip a bad bill through the General Assembly in the final days of the legislative session. Please, right now, let your legislators know you oppose this bad bill!

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Tell Gov. Rauner to fight rate hikes that cover utility legal fees

Jennifer — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 20:15:38 +0000

Did you know that under Illinois law your hard-earned money helps to cover utility company legal fees? According to a review by CUB’s legal department, ComEd, Ameren and the other big utilities have charged their Illinois customers about $60 million on legal fees and other expenses trying to raise your rates since 2010. These fees, hidden on your utility bills, cover the costs the utilities accrue hiring outside legal firms and experts as they fight for rate hikes before state regulators. Yes, YOU help to bankroll the high-priced lawyers and experts whose job is to raise rates. It may be legal, but it’s sure not right. In 2016, CUB fought for state legislation that would make shareholders—not customers like you—bear the brunt of the legal fees. That bill stalled. Now we need to take this fight to the next level. Please sign our petition to educate Gov. Bruce Rauner about this issue, and urge him to champion the fight against utility legal fees. P.S. If a new governor is elected in the future, CUB will share this petition with him also.

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Tell CUB about your worst bill

Jennifer — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:23:11 +0000

We all have that one bill. The one that we dread opening when we see that familiar envelope in the mail, or the sender in our inbox. The bill that feels like throwing a whole lot of money down the drain. What’s your worst bill? Tell us and get a chance to win $50 toward that bill – and hopefully help ease that pit in your stomach.

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From the Desk of David Kolata: CUB Executive Director’s New Year Report

Jim Chilsen — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:27:22 +0000

This report is a thanks and tribute to CUB’s supporters. You are working for a better Illinois, and I’m grateful to you. I know it’s easy to get discouraged these days, but remember that you are part of an Illinois success story. Together, here’s what we accomplished in 2017: Legal/Policy: Helped win $140 million in lower utility bills in cases before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). $17.5 million ComEd rate cut. $80 million ComEd refund. $42.5 million reduction in Nicor Gas’ proposed hike (but we want to cut it by a lot more!!). We also helped win stronger rules against electric rip-offs. ICC Chairman Brien Sheahan said: “I want to thank David Kolata and the Citizens Utility Board and Attorney General (Lisa) Madigan for their steadfast persistence in crafting these rules. They deserve much credit for their strong and consistent advocacy on behalf of utility customers in Illinois.” Outreach: Staffed 436 money-saving events and showed customers how to save $231,868.27 by analyzing utility bills, handing out energy-efficient light bulbs, and signing up people for efficiency programs. At one CUB utility-bill clinic, a CUB volunteer—just an average person like you and me—saved not one, but two people from paying quadruple on their gas bills with an unregulated gas supplier. Service like that sparked another clinic-goer to exclaim: “It feels good to have someone on my side!” Consumer Advocacy: Fielded 3,500 complaints/inquiries about utility companies and generated $130,472.40 in savings by advocating for consumer rights, spotting billing errors and securing refunds for people who contacted CUB. “We would not have a resolution today if it weren’t for CUB’s care and concern,” said one CUB member who worked with the consumer advocacy team to erase a $6,400 AT&T debt for her 85-year-old neighbors. “You would not believe how difficult it is to find real help and advocacy out there for consumers.” CUB Action Network: We generated more than 530,000 emails, petition signatures, and faxes urging policymakers to fight high bills and rip-offs in 2017. Policymakers from the halls of the State Capitol to the White House heard from us. New Publications: CUB’s research arm created an important guide on electric vehicles, a groundbreaking study on hourly pricing, and for the first time ever we released a guide to help people protect their privacy from crooks and scam artists on the internet. (We also updated our guide to cutting TV costs.) 2018 Battles: As consumer advocates all of us must remain vigilant, given the fights we face next year. Nicor’s $166 million rate hike will be ruled on early in 2018. In an ongoing ICC matter, there’s mismanagement in a Peoples Gas pipe-replacement program that could cost customers $8 billion. We’ve launched a court challenge against the $35 million Illinois American Water rate hike. We hope to block Dynegy’s rate-hike legislation that could raise electric bills in Central and Southern Illinois by up to $400 million a year. We were disappointed that the General Assembly passed AT&T-supported legislation that sets the stage for the end of traditional landline phone service in Illinois. Now the battle moves to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). At the […]

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Tell Congress: Reform pay TV

Matt — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 16:15:25 +0000

In a quick poll CUB released last week, 98 percent of you showed support for a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights”! This week, we want to share those results with Illinois’ Congressional Delegation, and urge it to push for consumer protections for pay TV customers. Here’s the question we asked: Do you want Congress to pass a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights,” including the following reforms: Requiring Pay TV companies to offer a basic, low-cost package; Reducing or eliminating excessive charges, such as cable box fees; Requiring a-la-carte Pay TV offers, in which you only pay for the channels you use? Do you support a “Pay TV Customer’s Bill of Rights”? Send a message to Congress!

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