CUB Blasts State Regulators for Not Moving on Electricity Rate Hikes CHICAGO (Chicago Public Radio) - The Citizens Utility Board says a recent ruling designed to help ease electricity rate hikes in January is not enough.

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a plan that will allow customers to spread out rate increase payments over three years. Rates are expected to go up 24 to 55 percent starting in January. But customers can now cap those hikes at 10 percent a year, paying interest on leftover increases.

Rob Kelter, director of litigation for the Citizens Utility Board, says the ruling is short sighted.

"We appreciate what the Commission is trying to do, but it's not a long term solution. Consumers need real rate relief that reduces the increase, not just delays the pain," he says.

A ComEd executive says the phase-in will allow the company to get the rate hikes it needs to provide reliable energy while not forcing customers to pay one large lump sum.

Meanwhile, state legislators are mulling over a bill that would nix the increases and keep rates frozen at current prices for the next three years. © Copyright 2010, Chicago Public Radio