Media Releases
Illinois PIRG to regulators: Reject Peoples Gas’ request to increase record-breaking rate hike by nearly $8M
In a legal brief filed Wednesday, the consumer group argues that Peoples Gas should continue to address bonafide emergencies and finish in-progress projects in its paused pipe replacement program, but that the commission should not authorize related increases to customer bills until the Chicago gas utility does more to justify this work in its next rate hike request.
Legislation to phase out fluorescent lighting advances
If the bill becomes law, fluorescent lighting would be replaced over time with highly efficient LED bulbs, saving Illinois consumers more than $1.5 billion on utility bills, avoiding 2.2M metric tons of C02 emissions by cutting energy waste, and avoiding 419 lbs of mercury pollution by 2050.
Top retailers fail to warn shoppers about health risks of gas stove pollution
Despite mounting scientific evidence linking gas stove pollution to childhood asthma and known carcinogens, many sales associates at the country’s top retailers dismissed or downplayed concerns about this pollution during a recent “secret shopper” survey.
Year in review: PIRG’s 2023 highlights
PIRG, its state groups celebrate national, state, local victories for the public interest
New era of consumer, climate-oriented utility oversight
For the second time in a month, utility regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday handed down decisions that portend the beginning of a new era of consumer- and climate-focused utility oversight in Illinois.
RELEASE: Microsoft offers extended Windows 10 support, with added cost
PIRG campaign prompts tech giant to provide security updates for longer.
Statement: Victory: Regulators rein in Peoples Gas pipe replacement program
Statement of Illinois PIRG director Abe Scarr in response to three major gas utility rate decisions
Day of action: Consumer advocates urge officials to say no to Peoples Gas’ $402M rate hike, yes to clean & affordable buildings ordinance
Members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) on Thursday flooded an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) meeting and later held a rally outside City Hall to call for cheaper, cleaner ways to heat Chicago homes.
Draft Peoples Gas decision breaks rate hike record by $100 million
In a draft decision released Friday, an administrative law judge granted Peoples Gas a $350 million rate increase, more than $100 million greater than the largest Illinois gas utility rate hike ever before granted.
