News
June 30, 2025 Statement: CUB Joins Other Consumer Advocates in Challenging Federally Mandated Rate Hike to Keep ‘Zombie Power Plant’ Open
The following is a statement by Clara Summers, manager of the Citizens Utility Board’s Consumers for a Better Grid campaign, on a federal order to keep the Eddystone Generating Station, a power plant in Pennsylvania, open. The move could needlessly cost customers across the country, including Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) customers in Illinois, millions of dollars in higher electric bills.
The following is a statement by Clara Summers, manager of the Citizens Utility Board’s Consumers for a Better Grid campaign, on a federal order to keep the Eddystone Generating Station, a power plant in Pennsylvania, open. The move could needlessly cost customers across the country, including Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) customers in Illinois, millions of dollars in higher electric bills.
June 11, 2025 The Triibe: ComEd customers will see higher light bills this summer. Who’s to blame?
Commonwealth Edison customers will see a rate hike this summer that could increase their electricity bills as much as $10 per cycle, a change that consumer affairs advocates say could make or break marginalized customers.
“[It’s] unfortunate, because the people who really can’t afford it the most are going to be affected,” said Scott Onque, pastor at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in South Shore. “Marginalized communities, poor communities, Black and brown communities will have to deal with a $10 increase on their bill, or an estimated $10 increase per month on their bill. And it may sound fractional to some, but you know, $10 could make or break a person, as far as paying their bills in some communities.”
Commonwealth Edison customers will see a rate hike this summer that could increase their electricity bills as much as $10 per cycle, a change that consumer affairs advocates say could make or break marginalized customers.
“[It’s] unfortunate, because the people who really can’t afford it the most are going to be affected,” said Scott Onque, pastor at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in South Shore. “Marginalized communities, poor communities, Black and brown communities will have to deal with a $10 increase on their bill, or an estimated $10 increase per month on their bill. And it may sound fractional to some, but you know, $10 could make or break a person, as far as paying their bills in some communities.”
June 10, 2025 New York Times: As Energy Costs Surge, Eastern Governors Blame a Grid Manager
For decades, a little-known nonprofit organization has played a central role in keeping the lights on for 65 million people in the Eastern United States.
Even some governors and lawmakers acknowledge that they were not fully aware of how much influence the organization, PJM, has on the cost and reliability of energy in 13 states. The electrical grid it manages is the largest in the United States.
For decades, a little-known nonprofit organization has played a central role in keeping the lights on for 65 million people in the Eastern United States.
Even some governors and lawmakers acknowledge that they were not fully aware of how much influence the organization, PJM, has on the cost and reliability of energy in 13 states. The electrical grid it manages is the largest in the United States.
May 22, 2025 CUB Warns Ameren Customers of June 1 Electricity Price Spike
Ameren Illinois’ summer price for electricity will soar by an estimated 50 percent on June 1, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) warned in a consumer alert Thursday, as the watchdog urged the utility to work with customers struggling to pay their bills so they can keep their power on during hot weather.
Ameren Illinois’ summer price for electricity will soar by an estimated 50 percent on June 1, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) warned in a consumer alert Thursday, as the watchdog urged the utility to work with customers struggling to pay their bills so they can keep their power on during hot weather.
May 19, 2025 Chicago Sun-Times: ComEd electric bills set to surge in June
ComEd customers are about to see a big spike in their electric bills.
As the Chicago Sun-Times reported in November, the demand for power from big data centers and a delay in connecting new power sources, such as solar and wind, to the electric grid is resulting in ComEd customers seeing their monthly bills go up $10.60 a month on average.
ComEd customers are about to see a big spike in their electric bills.
As the Chicago Sun-Times reported in November, the demand for power from big data centers and a delay in connecting new power sources, such as solar and wind, to the electric grid is resulting in ComEd customers seeing their monthly bills go up $10.60 a month on average.