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Illinois residential consumers had fifth lowest average electricity bill in the country during 2021

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Illinois

* Something else I didn’t know. From the Citizens Utility Board…

For the tenth consecutive year, Illinois had the lowest average electricity bills in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Illinois, which at one point had the highest bills in the Midwest, has now had the lowest since 2012.

The EIA, the statistical arm of the Department of Energy, reported that Illinois’ average monthly bill, $95.86 in 2021, fell well below the national average of $121.01. In fact, Illinois had the fifth lowest average bill in the country. Utah, the cheapest, is at $80.87, and Hawaii tops the list with $177.78. Here’s how Illinois stacks up against other Midwestern states:

• Illinois: $95.86
• Wisconsin: $100.18
• Minnesota: $104.76
• Ohio: $112.21
• Iowa: $109.63
• Michigan: $117.57
• Missouri: $118.55
• Indiana: $126.51

Here’s where Illinois ranks among the states (and the District of Columbia) that have the lowest average power bills:

• Utah: $80.87
• New Mexico: $87.31
• Colorado: $91.96
• District of Columbia: $92.42
• Illinois: $95.86
• Wyoming: $96.82

Despite a decade of relatively low electric bills in comparison to other parts of the country, there is still a lot of work to be done here in Illinois. In June, the electricity prices for ComEd and Ameren skyrocketed for a number of reasons, including an over-dependence on fossil fuels in the country.

Thanks to a provision in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act that CUB worked for, ComEd customers have actually been able to cut their electric bills by about $18-20 a month, on average. The problems are more complex in Central and Southern Illinois, and the consumer group has been seeking ways to give short-term and long-term relief to consumers there.

The report is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:25 am

Comments

The chart only addresses the kwH cost and not all the other associated fees in electric bills. How does Illinois compare on that front?

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:31 am
I think it was my September ComEd bill, that was the lowest I’ve seen in years. There was an ‘adjustment’ applied to it that took off about $35.

–The problems are more complex in Central and Southern Illinois–

It’s not *that* complex. Ameren didn’t do a good job with their interconnect agreements, and ratepayers are suffering the consequences of that through higher bills.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:33 am
Thanks Madigan.

Comment by the 647 Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:34 am
Good news on Illinois is always welcome and this is good news.

Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:42 am
Guess they were so low because who can use electricity during all those rolling blackouts/snark

Truth over fear mongering and fiction. Illinois’ power is affordable on a national scale and reliable in face of a changing energy mix to include renewables.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:55 am
Unfortunately, we are now re-regulating the market which will force prices to climb higher.

Comment by JustAThought Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 9:57 am
My electric bill is really not bad at all, no complaints. However, using less gas than 1 year ago and paying twice the bill. Somehow the green energy is soaking up the savings.

Comment by clec dcn Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 10:06 am
Anon 221, my last bill shows an energy charge of 0.05377 kWh. Total cost including energy charge, delivery, taxes and fees works out to 0.0946 kWh. Less than the table shows. I am a ComEd customer with Dynegy as energy supplier.

Comment by very old soil Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 10:08 am
I wish my bill was $95. It has been much higher and went up a lot recently. I don’t like it, but I believe that our infastructure is lacking. That’s a perilous position to be in.

Comment by Dog Lover Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 10:09 am
I have been pleasantly surprised every month when I see my ComEd bill.

Comment by SIUEalum Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 10:14 am
very old soil- I’m in central Illinois on a coop. All electric house with geothermal. Two meters because of this setup. First meter only was used for Sept. and was .102500 cents with a 1.0 meter multiplier. There is a 20.0 meter multiplier if the second meter kicks in. Facilities charge was as much as the kWh charge. There was also a wholesale power adjustment that was a bit half the kWh charge. Overall, my bill is much, much lower than when I was on propane (out in the country). But I know other folks in the area not on a coop that have had tremendous changes to their electric bills. Averages don’t tell the whole picture.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 10:19 am
This makes sense considering the significant investment Illinois has in Nuclear and Wind energy. I believe Utah benefits from a lot of Hydroelectric power. I’m sure those states on the bottom of the list are predominantly coal users which is just more costly to create.

Comment by Unionman Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 10:56 am
Another right-wing Republican talking point comes crashing down into reality.

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 11:29 am
“Unfortunately, we are now re-regulating the market which will force prices to climb higher.”

Well, no. Electric prices in Ameren rose because of serious mistakes by the grid operator MISO. It has nothing to do with CEJA.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:02 pm
“I believe Utah benefits from a lot of Hydroelectric power”

There are no big hydroelectric dams in Utah that I know of like in AZ/NV/CA and the Pacific NW. Very little hydropower there. If we think the price is related to the type of energy generation used (which I’m not sure it is) Utah is a cheap coal story.

Comment by JLW Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:50 pm
2022 is a lot different. Just got my budget billing bill from Ameren( gas and Eric truck) that is the final month before it starts over. $600. With a $400 budge billing amount for next month.

Comment by thoughts matter Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:01 pm
I also see a good reason for manufacturing to expand in Illinois. With cheaper power rates than neighboring states its another good selling point for the state.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:23 pm
I also see a good reason for manufacturing to expand in Illinois. With cheaper power rates than neighboring states its another good selling point for the state.
—–
The CUB numbers are for residential and small commercial customers. Large users (manufacturers) have a different rate schedule, and usually negotiate long-term contracts with suppliers (not the utility) to manage energy costs.

Comment by Oxfordian Wednesday, Nov 16, 22 @ 12:03 pm