Yet state officials have approved the industry’s controversial new pricing plan, which could raise rates by as much as 35 percent. The decision gives the energy and utility companies the ability to set prices, and weakens the regulations that protect consumers from price gouging. With government oversight out of the picture, consumers have no guarantee that rates will be kept fair.

Stopping The Ratepayer Rip-Off
With ComEd saying our electricity bills are going to go up next year, we need action now to help contain skyrocketing energy costs. That’s why Illinois PIRG is calling on state lawmakers to freeze rates until utilities enact efficiency and conservation programs that are proven to keep rates down.

This new plan also means energy companies will determine the price of electricity that we pay. That’s why we’re urging legislators to stop any rate hike until there is adequate oversight that ensures there is no price gouging of Illinois consumers.

No Accountability To Customers
The monopoly that Illinois utilities enjoy means there is no competition to drive prices down. That’s why it’s so important for state regulators to oversee pricing and keep our bills affordable. Regulators can also make utilities implement efficiency and conservation measures—proven ways to reduce waste and lower costs.

The pricing system that’s moving ahead would allow rates to go up without oversight from state regulators and without any effort to curb energy waste.

Illinois PIRG’s Brian Imus (at right) is joined by Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn in urging lawmakers to stop rate hikes until efficiency measures and appropriate oversight are implemented.

Taking Back Our Energy Future
Illinois PIRG is calling on the Illinois General Assembly to take three steps towards a statewide energy plan that works for all Illinoisans:

• Extend the current freeze on utility rates and stop electricity bills from skyrocketing unnecessarily. Doing so will keep prices fair at a time when Illinoisans’ face higher gas and energy costs.

• Refuse to allow ComEd/Exelon and other utilities to raise rates until they have implemented energy efficiency and conservation programs. Reducing demand can lower energy costs and save consumers money.

• Reinstate state oversight of how energy prices are set. This is an inherently uncompetitive industry. ComEd and the energy companies should not be given a blank check to set utility prices however they want.