1.0Citizens Utility Boardhttps://www.citizensutilityboard.orgrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="0ENRakfkcM"><a href="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/the-heat-act/">The Heat Act</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/the-heat-act/embed/#?secret=0ENRakfkcM" width="600" height="338" title="“The Heat Act” — Citizens Utility Board" data-secret="0ENRakfkcM" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> [vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Heat Act: a breakdown” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:32|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a victory for consumers, Governor Pritzker has signed one of the nation’s toughest consumer protection laws to fight rip-offs: the Home Energy Affordability and Transparency (HEAT) Act. In a statement, CUB praised Attorney General Kwame Raoul for leading the charge in favor of the “historic consumer protections from scams, rip-offs and bad deals peddled by alternative electric and gas suppliers.” The bill took effect January 1, 2020. Here’s a rundown of what the HEAT Act (Senate Bill 651) does:[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” align=”align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Consumer protection: The HEAT Act will stop alternative suppliers from automatically renewing a contract from a fixed rate to a variable rate (a rate that changes monthly) and then jacking up the price. Explanation: CUB hears a lot of complaints from consumers who were lured into what they thought was a good deal–typically a relatively low fixed rate–only to see their bills skyrocket after that introductory price ended. The HEAT Act would require alternative suppliers to get a customer signature, either electronic or in writing, specifically for contracts to renew from a fixed rate to a variable rate. Also, starting Jan. 1, 2020, when alternative suppliers sign up consumers for contracts that automatically renew, they will have to give the potential customers a separate written disclosure titled “Automatic Contract Renewal,” which will lay out details of the renewal process, including dates and ways to cancel. Plus, at the end of the initial term of fixed or variable contracts, the suppliers will have to give customers a disclosure outlining the terms of renewal and a side-by-side comparison of the current rate and new rate.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” align=”align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Consumer protection: It would end termination (exit) fees for leaving a contract early on supply contracts for residential and small-business customers. Explanation: As of January 1, exit fees were outlawed on contracts. Some years back, CUB and other consumer advocates fought for a $50 cap on exit fees–and that was a victory. But outlawing the fees is an even bigger win. Now, customers won’t be penalized for leaving a bad deal early.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” align=”align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Consumer protection: It would require alternative supplier marketing materials, as well as utility bills, to clearly state the utility’s current price, and the dates during which that price is valid. Explanation: Imagine getting your monthly bill and scanning the supply section: “XYZ Energy” is charging you 15 cents per kWh. This might not mean anything to you–but then you see the utility’s price displayed on the bill and realize that XYZ is charging you double! The new law clarifies the state’s competition rules, which now allow electric utilities to disclose the utility price and the rate a customer is paying if he or she is with an alternative supplier. Too often, customers enter into bad deals because they don’t know what the utility is charging and, thus, can’t see that they’re getting ripped off. Both Ameren and ComEd are already beginning to display this “Price to Compare” on their bills. But now, it’s mandated to be on ALL gas and electric utility bills–even those for customers who are with another supplier. Additionally, utility customer […]https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CUB_IL_LogoBadgeRGBAdminLogo.png254254