Updates Archives | Citizens Utility Board

CUB statement on ComEd’s $243M reconciliation rate hike

Jim Chilsen — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:40:13 +0000

The following is a statement from CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz: We are pleased that state regulators knocked $25 million off of ComEd’s rate hike by weeding out wasteful and inappropriate spending–especially costs connected to fixing the utility’s error-prone billing system. ComEd customers shouldn’t have to pay for the utility’s incompetence. However, ComEd still received a $243 million rate hike, and we remain concerned about customers being able to afford their utility bills at a time of escalating costs for healthcare, groceries and other necessities. Under state regulatory law, ComEd is allowed to petition state regulators for extra money if it goes beyond what it has budgeted for capital projects. CUB supports ending this reconciliation benefit for utilities. If ComEd blows through its budget in a given year, customers shouldn’t have to pay the excess. Background: On Thursday, Dec. 18, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted ComEd a rate hike of about $243 million as part of the utility’s 8-month “reconciliation” case (Docket 25-0383). That’s about $25 million lower than the $268.5 million ComEd sought. ComEd has already won a $606 million, multi-year rate hike last year, but a provision in state regulatory law allows ComEd to petition the ICC to recover extra expenses in yearly “reconciliation” cases, if they go over-budget on capital expenditures. Roughly $200 million of ComEd’s proposed $268.5 million reconciliation increase was to make up for higher rates that were approved earlier, but had not yet been put in place. The rest of the proposed increase was to recover excess spending for ComEd going over-budget on capital projects. (CUB opposes utilities having this reconciliation benefit.) Among $25.4 in reductions that consumer advocates supported and the ICC approved: Most overrun costs related to fixing billing problems that have plagued ComEd customers since February of 2024. (Customers have complained about problems–billing delays, overcharges and other errors–since the utility launched its new billing system.) Millions of dollars to recover extra costs for infrastructure upgrades the ICC deemed unnecessary for a $73 million data center. For future reconciliation cases, the ICC also ordered ComEd to include cost-benefit analyses of grid plan projects to make it easier to evaluate the impact of ComEd’s plans for improving the grid. A history of ComEd’s recent rate hikes: 2023: The ICC rejected ComEd’s first attempt at a multi-year rate plan, in part because the utility didn’t do enough to show how the plan would be affordable or beneficial to customers. The utility received a $500 million rate hike, which was about $1 billion lower than it wanted. 2024: ComEd proposed a new plan last year, and the ICC approved a multi-year $606 million rate plan, spread out through 2027. 2025: ICC approved an additional $243 million rate hike, as part of an 8-month reconciliation rate case. The rate hike will take effect before the end of the year. Also, in January 2026, ComEd will launch a discount program for lower-income customers. The program will provide monthly discounts to qualifying customers designed to reduce energy bills to 3 to 6 percent of household income. Read CUB’s Q&A on the ComEd program.

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Consumers for a Better Grid’s 2025 Year In Review

Elizabeth — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:13:49 +0000

It’s time for another annual reflection from CUB’s Consumers for a Better Grid Campaign. With millions of customers dealing with electricity price spikes, 2025 was a busy year advocating for consumers at PJM Interconnection and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). As part of that mission, the campaign held four media briefings, presented at or attended eight conferences, intervened in at least 10 legal cases, and was quoted by at least 25 different media outlets. Here’s more detail on what we tackled this year… Consumer education Many people have never heard of PJM Interconnection, but it manages the nation’s largest power grid–from northern Illinois all the way to the East Coast–and it has a major impact on electric reliability and affordability for 67 million customers across the country. So educating consumers about PJM is important. More and more grassroots groups and organizations across the PJM region have been reaching out for information and ways to engage with everyday consumers about this issue. To respond to this surge in interest, we recorded our PJM 101 briefing, which to date has over 1,000 views! In order to help make PJM material more accessible, Karen Tolentino, the Clean Energy Outreach and Communications Coordinator for CUB Español, re-recorded the video in Spanish. Legislative victories After years of effort, Maryland was the first state to pass a bill requiring utilities to report the votes they take at PJM–and Delaware and New Jersey soon followed. Campaign Manager Clara Summers has testified on the bill for the last two years—it was exciting to see it pass! Hopefully we’ll see more states pass this pro-consumer legislation. In Illinois, the CUB team was instrumental in passing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act. This sweeping energy legislation will help counteract high prices from PJM by bringing more batteries online and promoting energy efficiency, among other strong provisions. Litigation We intervened in at least 10 legal dockets at FERC, the Department of Energy, and in the courts on issues ranging from capacity market management, improving transmission planning, and protecting the ability of FERC to impose penalties on bad actors. There were a number of topics we worked on this year, but here are some of the biggest… Decoding the broken capacity market—past, present, and future Past and present: If you were plugged in last summer, you may remember that PJM’s capacity market produced record-high prices that would start to hit in June of this year. We worked to ensure consumers were prepared for the upcoming price spike (if you need more information and tips about spiking power prices, please visit our Help Center). In two Facebook Lives, Clara and Annie Warnock, Bilingual Consumer Rights Specialist, gave out important consumer information about the price spikes at the beginning and end of the summer. Future: Unfortunately, high prices will continue for several years. In July, the results of the 2026-27 capacity auction were announced–and once again the auction resulted in a record-high price. Clara was ready to break it down for the public, and Sarah talked through the results on WBEZ. In our statement, we wrote, “While we are relieved that the […]

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Tough times for northern Illinois gas customers: supply prices up 15-56%, Nicor hits customers with rate hike, Peoples Gas plans one in 2026

Jim Chilsen — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:57:02 +0000

A new analysis by consumer advocates Thursday shows that December supply prices charged by northern Illinois gas utilities are about 15 percent to 56 percent higher than they were at the same time last year – a surge that highlights misleading claims by at least one utility that low fuel costs would offset a record rate hike it proposed. (Read the full Thursday, Dec. 12 news release from the Citizens Utility Board and Illinois PIRG.) The findings from a “state of the Illinois gas market” review come as Nicor Gas just hit customers with their fifth delivery rate hike in less than a decade, and Peoples Gas announced plans to push for a new hike in 2026, just three years after receiving the largest gas increase in Illinois history. At a time when consumers are paying inflated costs for necessities such as groceries and healthcare, consumer advocates warn that the combination of escalating heating gas prices and serial rate-hike proposals by the region’s gas utilities are likely to exacerbate hardships for Illinois households this winter. “This amounts to a double-whammy for gas customers—the volatile market is hitting them with price spikes on one part of the bill, while utilities continue their aggressive spending to jack up rates on another part of the bill,” said Sarah Moskowitz, executive director of the nonprofit utility watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB). “While gas utilities enjoy excessive profits, we have serious concerns about the well-being of heating customers this winter.” The price spike exposes a misleading forecast Peoples Gas publicized in 2023 when, in an effort to pacify concerns about the record-breaking $402 million rate hike the utility had proposed, company officials claimed that lower gas supply prices would defray the increase it sought on the delivery side of bills. Although state regulators cut the rate hike significantly, Peoples Gas still eventually received a record $306 million delivery increase, which began to hit customers in December 2023–and the purportedly low gas prices were only temporary. Nationally, gas prices recently hit a three year high. Analysts predict prices will rise higher and grow more volatile as increasing volumes of fuel are exported through liquefied natural gas facilities. The U.S. is expected to nearly double gas exports over the next five years. “Gas utilities took advantage of a decade of relatively low gas prices to spend excessively, driving up delivery rates and utility profits,” said Illinois PIRG Director Abe Scarr. “Because of that, modest increases in the cost of gas hit customers much harder. As gas prices look to rise even higher and grow more volatile, gas utility customers are vulnerable to spiking home heating bills. That’s why it’s important to invest in energy efficiency, rein in rate hikes and transition to safer, cleaner energy to heat our homes.” Major charges on gas bills are divided among supply and delivery fees. The utilities pass supply costs–the price for buying the actual fuel–onto customers, with no markup. Delivery charges cover the utilities’ cost of delivering gas to homes through their pipe network–plus a profit. Under utility regulation, the gas companies earn a return on their infrastructure investments, incentivizing them […]

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Executive Director’s 2025 Report: A Heartfelt Thanks

Elizabeth — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:31:56 +0000

By Sarah Moskowitz, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board Here is my report for 2025–CUB’s 41st year of consumer advocacy. I’m proud of how the CUB team served Illinois consumers in a tough year marked by a painful summer electricity price spike for ComEd and Ameren customers and rate-hike battles against Illinois’ biggest electric and gas utilities. The soaring price of electricity is why we worked so hard to help pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act on the last day of the Illinois General Assembly’s Fall Veto Session. This was a major victory–I’ll explain more in the Policy team’s update below! The following department-by-department report is a snapshot of the work the CUB team (pictured at the bottom of this article) did in 2025. I’m honored to work alongside such a fantastic team, and I’m grateful we have such generous supporters. You help lead the charge for lower utility bills, consumer protections and cleaner energy, through your donations, by following our issues, and by signing petitions and sending messages. Together we are working hard to make a positive difference for utility customers in Illinois. On behalf of the CUB team, a warm, heartfelt thanks for your support. Legal Department–General Counsel Eric DeBellis CUB’s two-person legal team (Eric and Laura) in 2025 battled utility campaigns to raise delivery charges by $771 million: Nicor Gas (Docket 25-0055): $314.3 million Commonwealth Edison (Docket 25-0383): $268.5 million Ameren Illinois (gas) (Docket 25-0084): $128.8 million Ameren (electric) (Docket 25-0382): $59.6 million Your support at work: CUB and other consumer advocates have so far helped reduce rate hikes by more than $202 million ($146.5 million for Nicor customers and $55.8 million for Ameren customers, in the gas cases that state regulators ruled on Nov. 19). Over our 41-year history, we’ve helped save Illinois consumers more than $20 billion. Stay tuned: We will update this report after the Illinois Commerce Commission issues rulings on the electric rate cases in December. More on these cases below. Ameren Illinois ($59.6 million) and ComEd ($265.8 million) are pushing for higher electric rates CUB’s statement on Nicor rate-case ruling. CUB’s statement on Ameren rate-case ruling. Also, in February CUB applauded state regulators for issuing a ruling, after a year-long investigation, that finally attempted to rein in the over-budget and behind-schedule Peoples Gas pipe-replacement program. CUB thanked the ICC for “protecting consumers against the spiraling costs and intractable waste that have plagued Peoples Gas’ pipe-replacement program from its inception.” But our work is far from over: We expect Peoples Gas to file for another rate hike early in 2026. In another victory for consumers, CUB’s legal team worked at the ICC to create a “time of use” option for ComEd customers. Months later, the CRGA Act codified the option, ensuring that both Ameren and ComEd offer predictable time-variant rates that enable residential customers to save money by using less energy when demand is high. TOU rates can help delay or avoid altogether the need to build more pricey power plants or replace/upgrade grid equipment. Consumer Advocacy Department–Director Sandra Marcelin-Reme CUB’s Consumer Advocacy Department (Annie, Danielle and Sandra) has handled 1,315 consumer […]

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CUB applauds passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act

Jim Chilsen — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:23:52 +0000

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 Act is a significant and urgently needed step to protect consumers from future electricity market volatility. As Illinois faces poor policy from the regional power grid operators and an unprecedented increase in energy demand sparked by data centers, the CRGA Act is a long-term, pro-consumer plan to help solve the supply-demand imbalance and fight price spikes by expanding energy efficiency and cost-effectively bringing more affordable electricity to the grid. Passage of the CRGA Act is a major step forward, but there’s more work to do. Having spoken to so many Illinois consumers worried sick about their soaring electric bills, CUB feels an urgency to immediately begin the hard work of implementing the CRGA Act alongside state regulators and advocates. And we are committed to passing additional reforms in future legislative sessions to make sure electric customers aren’t being burdened by unfair data center costs. We thank Illinois consumers who sent thousands of messages to Springfield in favor of the CRGA Act. (Read a pdf of the statement here.) Background: The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) is comprehensive energy legislation that passed in the Illinois General Assembly’s Fall Veto Session. The measure passed the House 70-37 on Oct. 29, and it passed the Senate 37-22 on Oct. 30. Among other reforms, the CRGA Act would: Add 3 gigawatts (GW) of battery storage to the system, enough to power millions of homes and protect Illinoisans from electric price volatility. Give consumers tools to reduce their utility bills, like increasing access to rebates to weatherize homes and purchase efficient appliances. Launch a “virtual power plant” initiative to pool thousands of small solar and storage projects to replace more expensive forms of electricity generation. An analysis from the Illinois Power Agency indicates the CRGA Act will save Ameren customers as much as $10.59 per month and ComEd customers as much as $2.03 per month by 2030. The measure now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature.

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Free solar panels? Breaking down solar offers for Illinois consumers

Elizabeth — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:43:29 +0000

CLAIM: You can get free solar panels installed on your roof! FACT: Some companies offer solar panel installation for no money down, but it’s not free—customers will be renting the panels monthly for the term of the lease (usually 15+ years). CUB RECOMMENDS: Explore your options. While leasing may make sense for some homeowners, buying your solar system outright could end up being more cost-effective. Consumers tell CUB that sales people have knocked on their door and pitched solar panels for “free” or with “no money down.” Sounds great, but be wary: Solar panels typically aren’t free. Let’s break down the different solar offers available to consumers in Illinois. (Special note: There is a legitimate state-sponsored solar incentive program offered in Illinois that covers most (or sometimes all) of the cost of going solar, but those are for income-qualified customers only and are not what this blog is about. Read more about this income-qualified program, Illinois Solar For All.) Leases: With a solar lease, the company owns the system and you pay them monthly for the panels. While such an arrangement has been marketed as “no money down” or “free solar panels,” that’s misleading. Although it’s true customers may not pay anything for the panels to be installed, they will pay the company a fixed amount each month for 15-25 years, based on the terms of the lease. Also, leases usually include a provision allowing companies to raise the price each year by 2.9 percent. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A PPA is similar to a lease in that the company owns the system and is allowed to annually increase the price the customer pays. However, instead of paying a fixed amount each month, the customer is charged a predetermined amount per kilowatt-hour (kWh), based on the energy produced by the system each month. Ownership: You buy the panels outright, and you are responsible for their ongoing maintenance. Things to consider: With both a lease and a PPA, because the solar company owns the panels, it benefits from the incentives that otherwise would go to the customer: a federal tax credit (covers 30 percent of project costs), Solar Renewable Energy Credits (represents the environmental benefit of 1,000 kWh of renewable energy generation, through Illinois Shines, the state’s solar incentives program), and typically any utility rebates. Because of these incentives, a company could give you a better rate for the lease or the PPA, but keep in mind that the company is under NO obligation to pass down a certain amount of savings to you. With solar ownership, you do benefit from the incentives, but it also requires a high upfront investment for long term savings in addition to ongoing maintenance costs. Due to the federal budget reconciliation bill passed in the summer of 2025, the 30 percent federal tax credit will be eliminated after Dec. 31, 2025 for residential solar customers who buy their panels outright. However, third-party vendors, who offer customers leases or PPAs, will still have access to the 30 percent tax credit until 2027. But the guidance is complicated: Projects that “commence construction” after December 31, 2025 must […]

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Fight for LIHEAP and Energy Star

Jim Chilsen — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:35:06 +0000

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, beginning Oct. 1. Here’s an update on both programs: LIHEAP What’s the update? Washington’s original proposal was to zero out funding for this program–but in a promising development, lawmakers in the House and Senate have moved to fund LIHEAP. Just this month, a House Appropriations Subcommittee proposed $4.035 billion in funding for LIHEAP–a $10 million increase. On the Senate side, the Appropriations Committee has recommended $4.045 billion. Why do we care? LIHEAP helps more than 5 million homes (seniors, people with disabilities, families) in Illinois and across the country stay safely connected to their utilities (318,467 Illinois households received benefits in the 2025 program year). When people can afford their utility bills, it helps keep down costs for everyone. Note: Illinois’ LIHEAP program will begin Oct. 1, as planned, so qualifying customers can apply. Thankfully, LIHEAP gets a significant amount of funding from the state, which will carry the program in the short term. But it’s vital that federal LIHEAP funding comes through so that in the long-term Illinois’ program can help as many customers as possible. Energy Star What’s the update? This program also was on the chopping block. But, as we’ve reported before, lawmakers in the House and Senate have moved to protect the program. This comes after some 1,000 companies, nonprofits and public agencies signed their name to a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) director to maintain Energy Star. Why do we care? Created by President George H.W. Bush to help consumers identify efficient appliances, this appliance-labelling program says it has helped consumers save $500 billion in energy costs. The head of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy said Energy Star saves about $40 billion a year on a budget that is less than $40 million–and eliminating it would be “million-wise and billion foolish.” Important: The fights to protect LIHEAP and Energy Star are far from over! Appropriations legislation faces floor votes, reconciliation into one bill and then it has to be signed by the White House. Also, Congress might have to pass a continuing resolution (CR), which is short-term legislation to fund the government past September 30. If the CR is passed, advocates say we would then have to push for the speedy release of LIHEAP funding to help customers across the country stay connected to heat this winter. These are urgent battles!

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Overbilled by $720? After she spent 50+ hours on phone with AT&T, CUB helps end her “nightmare”

Jim Chilsen — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:52:42 +0000

CUB helped end a Chicago consumer’s year-long “nightmare” with AT&T after the telecom giant’s mistake inflated her internet bill to 10 times what it usually was. Ms. C. contacted CUB in late February, but her problem with AT&T had begun a year earlier, when her Internet modem needed replacing. Instead of sending a new modem, AT&T sent her a hotspot. Later, after sending a new modem, the company began billing for both services. Ms. C’s bill ballooned from $80 to $800. It happened multiple times over the year, and each time she was assured the problem was fixed. After more than 50 hours on the phone with AT&T, she contacted CUB and spoke to Consumer Rights Specialist Annie Warnock. Annie filed a complaint with AT&T and within a day the company was fixing the problem. “I am so happy to have this nightmare end,” wrote Ms. C.. “Your intervention meant that someone finally took ownership for solving my problem…Thank you for having an organization I could call after running into one brick wall after another.”

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CUB’s free events in June

Jim Chilsen — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:03:40 +0000

In what could be an expensive summer for Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois customers, CUB’s Outreach team will travel across the state of Illinois to staff free events giving consumers tips on energy efficiency for their homes, how clean energy can cut their utility bills and how they can protect themselves from scams and rip-offs. 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, Danville Utility Bill Clinic (in-person) Join CUB and state Sen. Paul Faraci at the Danville Public Library (319 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832) for a free event to advise residents on reducing electric, gas, and both landline and cellphone bills. Each participant will speak one-on-one with a CUB counselor to review their bills. RSVP with CUB at ubc@citizensutilityboard.org or by calling Outreach Director Ivonne Rychwa, at 312-292-5853. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, Home Energy Savings + Internet Options and Data Privacy: What you need to know (online) Join Chicago Ald. Matt O’Shea, state Sen. Bill Cunningham, state Rep. Mary Gill and CUB to learn tips on how to reduce your energy usage and save money. This event is designed to help you better understand the ins and outs of your energy bills, avoid utility scams and learn about energy efficiency programs. Plus, you’ll learn how to protect your privacy online.Bring all your utility-related questions. To attend this online event, please sign up here. Note: This online event will also be held 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 5. To attend, please sign up here. 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, Edgewater Clean and Green Homes Forum (in-person) Join Edgewater Environmental Coalition, Illinois PIRG, Third Act and CUB at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement (5749 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660) to learn how to make the transition from gas to electric and solar power for your home. Whether you own or rent your home, this event will give you the tools you need to decarbonize. Register here to attend. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 24, Hoffman Estates Utility Bill Clinic (in-person) Join CUB at the Township of Schaumburg (1 Illinois Boulevard, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169) for a free event to advise residents on reducing electric, gas, and both landline and cellphone bills. Each participant will speak one-on-one with a CUB counselor to review their bills. To register, please call 847-285-4541 or email cremer@schtwn.org or jkettel@schtwn.org. 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 24: Grow Geo Power Hour (Online) Join CUB, the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois and Environmental Defenders of McHenry County for this free, live hour-long presentation to learn about the basics of geothermal and how it can save money and benefit the community. Please register here.

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Progress: Maryland legislators pass bill that shines light on utility votes at PJM–Illinois considering similar measure

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:22:25 +0000

Maryland legislators have passed a bill that requires utilities to disclose their votes at PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator. The same legislation has passed the Delaware Senate unanimously and is currently active in three other states–and CUB hopes to pass similar legislation in Illinois. For years CUB has been spreading the word that our electric bills are affected not just by the local utility, like ComEd, but also by power grid operators, like PJM. As a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), PJM coordinates the movement of electricity over large transmission lines and creates the markets in which electric wholesale prices are set for 65 million people from the Midwest to the East Coast. That includes ComEd customers in northern Illinois. PJM is dominated by generators, transmission companies and electric utilities (like ComEd) that vote on power grid policies that have a huge impact on how reliable, clean and affordable our electricity is. But, amazingly, many of those votes are secret. That’s why consumer advocates across the PJM region are pushing transparency legislation. In Illinois, CUB supports House Bill 1802. The legislation would require Illinois utilities like ComEd to submit a report to state regulators revealing the votes they cast at grid operator meetings. They also would have to explain how those votes are in the public interest. This is about healthy democracy and holding utilities and grid operators accountable: Please take Action. This legislation would cover Ameren Illinois and MidAmerican Energy also. Those utilities are part of another power-grid operator called MISO, or the Midcontinent Independent System Operator. Unlike PJM, MISO considers all votes to be a matter of public record, except for the selection or removal of committee chairs and vice chairs. However, it is difficult to track down the voting information, so this bill improves access to information in MISO as well. (You shouldn’t have to be an expert to find voting data.) This idea is gaining traction. Last year, several states, including Illinois, attempted to pass similar legislation and failed. This year, at least eight states pushed it (Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia). In a sign of progress, the measure passed the Delaware Senate, and it’s about to become law in Maryland: HB 121, the Utility Transparency and Accountability Act. sponsored by Del. Lorig Charkoudian. “When utilities vote at regional transmission organizations, they have impacts on our clean energy transition and the cost of electricity,” said Rep. Joyce Mason, the chief sponsor of the Illinois bill, said when the idea was first proposed in Illinois last year. “My bill introduces better transparency for how utilities vote in our electric markets, which is part of a healthy democracy. As a legislator, my votes are public – it should be the same for utilities whose votes impact the affordability and cleanliness of our electricity. ” To learn more about our special project to hold PJM accountable, visit our Consumers for a Better Grid website. Also, watch our video and our PJM 101 presentation.

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