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Illinois Approves Electric Rate Encouraging Use of Clean Affordable Energy
For the first time in Illinois’ history, all Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) residential customers will soon have the power to opt into a time-of-use rate option that will help them save money on their monthly energy bills by shifting usage to times of day when energy tends to be more affordable and cleaner. Previously, the time-of-use rate was open to fewer than 2,000 customers at a time. Of the customers that were allowed to participate, more than 98% benefited from bill savings. Designed to be similar to that successful pilot, the new Rate BEST option was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission at its July meeting in Springfield. The rate will be available to customers in June 2026. The Commission also recently approved a program that will give competitive energy suppliers access to the data they need to develop their own competitive time-varying rates plans before June 2026. “Starting in June 2026, ComEd’s Rate BEST option will help IL residential customers who want more control over their energy bills,” said Curt Stokes, Director and Senior Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. “EDF and our partner, the Citizens Utility Board, have long fought for innovative rate designs that enable customers to save money by accessing cleaner, more affordable energy. Rate BEST will help Illinois customers choose a new time-of-use electricity rate designed to align with their energy usage patterns and benefit from a more sustainable and equitable energy future."
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Consumer advocates say regulators should slash Ameren Illinois’ proposed $134M rate hike
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 hike is unjust, unreasonable — and at least triple what the utility can possibly justify,” said Jim Chilsen, a spokesman for the Citizens Utility Boardy. The affordability issues and reducing expenditures on infrastructure by Ameren are “also the best solutions for a healthy, livable planet,” said Curt Stokes, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund. “Expanding and just doubling down on investments in this natural gas distribution system is not going to get Illinois to a zero carbon economy by 2050,” Stokes said.
Blog
Energy Affordability for All: How states are reducing energy cost burdens through rate setting
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 research, low-income households in the U.S. spend about 17% of their income on utilities, about three times the national average
