At the end of October, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, sweeping energy legislation that builds upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) of 2016 and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) of 2021. The CRGA Act provides Illinois with a long-term plan…...
CUB applauds passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act
The following is a statement from Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz: The General Assembly’s passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act is a victory for Illinois consumers. Our escalating energy bills require solutions at the state, regional, and federal levels, so passing the CRGA…...
Data center distress: CUB, NRDC experts warn PJM states could get hit with forced blackouts, $163B in electricity capacity costs
Record new demand from data centers is driving up energy costs and concerns about reliable power supply. Preliminary utility forecasts in PJM Interconnection, the largest power grid operator in the country, show that data centers could require more than 50 gigawatts of peak electricity capacity by 2030 — enough to…...
Amid electricity price spike, CUB joins advocates to urge passage of the Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act in Fall Veto Session
Amid an electricity price spike sparked by unprecedented power demand, CUB joined other advocates to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB25) in the October veto session. The legislation would implement a number of reforms to help reduce power prices and…...
CUB Q&A: The Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) program for private water customers
In late 2024, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved a low-income discount rate (LIDR) for eligible customers of Illinois’ private water companies, Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water. The program was launched in July of 2025. Who qualifies for the LIDR? To be considered for the low-income discount rate program… Aqua…...
Fight for LIHEAP and Energy Star
It’s frustrating that Washington is killing helpful solar and energy efficiency tax credits at the end of the year–but we still have a chance to save two energy programs that have been threatened: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Energy Star. Washington decides budget appropriations for the next fiscal year,…...
Alert: One-time $150 grants available for income-qualified Ameren customers, while funds available
In a difficult summer of spiking electricity prices, Ameren Corp.–the parent of Ameren Illinois–has announced that income qualified customers who have fallen behind on their energy bills can apply to receive a one-time $150 grant, while funds are available. This support is coming from an Ameren program that is providing…...
