Consumer advocates are pushing back against Ameren Illinois’ $134 million rate hike request for natural gas services that’s currently before state regulators. The watchdog groups contend the Illinois Commerce Commission, the state regulatory body, should reject at least two-thirds of the proposal. “t Ameren’s bid for a $134 million rate…
Energy decisions profoundly impact communities, yet the decision-making process can feel opaque and inaccessible. Concerns surrounding the tangible impacts of energy infrastructure — who benefits, who bears the costs and how electricity bills are affected — are frequently resolved behind closed doors in highly technical and legally complex energy regulatory…
Energy affordability has become a major concern for customers as utility rates rise across the country. Since 2001, the average cost of electricity per kilowatt has nearly doubled for residential customers, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Low-income households are facing the brunt of this burden. According to 2024…
As states turn toward a clean energy transition, affordability and access must be an integral part of the discussion. Otherwise, equity may be compromised. Black and Brown communities experience higher energy rates and higher rates of power disconnection due to many overlapping historical and modern factors such as housing injustice,…
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced that Illinois will receive more than $430 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, to tackle climate pollution, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice across the state. Grant funds will support building and industry decarbonization, freight electrification,…
A new report finds that Illinois’ largest gas utilities’ current capital spending on gas systems will raise customers' rates sharply and could lead to stranded assets of $80 billion by 2050. To avoid this costly path, the report recommends a strategically managed gas transition to clean, renewable energy sources, which…
Community Voices in Energy national trainings are designed to prepare participants to address energy justice issues and drive change through energy regulatory cases that affect their communities. Over the course of about eight bi-weekly virtual trainings, our 2024 national training explained and demystified traditional legal intervention in public utility commission…
