The Power
of Choice

Homeowners and Small Businesses Now Have A Choice of Suppliers

For the first time in nearly a century Illinois residents and small businesses served by a regulated electric utility have the opportunity to join together to get lower prices for their electricity supply.

You and your neighbors have the opportunity to save money on the cost of your electricity supply. More than 2 million Illinois residents have already done so. A change in law in January 2010 permitted community residents to pool, or aggregate, their electric usage to seek competitive bids for lower prices on the open market. That law has driven down the price of electricity.*

We invite you to read on to learn more about “Municipal Electric Aggregation.”

*Based on actual bidding under the program. (Source: Illinois Commerce Commission, Plug In Illinois.)

now you have
real choice.

You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to electric aggregation with real choices along the way. And there will be opportunities— objective opportunities— so you can make up your own mind.

The Referendum
The law enabling electric aggregation requires that you and your neighbors first be allowed to say yes or no to the idea in a referendum. In communities in which the issue is on the ballot, the referendum will be held at the Primary Election on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

If a majority approves, the community moves on to the next step, where you will continue to have have choices.

Public Hearings
The law requires two public hearings about your community’s electric aggregation initiative. You have the right to ask questions and fully understand how the program will work in your community.

Opting Out
Even if the majority of your neighbors votes for Municipal Electric aggregation, you will not be required to participate. The law gives you the right to “opt out” and to stay with your current electricity supplier or an alternate retail electric supplier. You can do so for any reason. In fact, you do not have to have a reason. And you will face no penalty or fee if you choose to opt out.

It’s your right.

Be alert for electric supply scams and slams.

If you receive a phone call, an email, or a visitor to your home offering a lower price for your electric supply, there are some questions to ask to help assure you are getting the best price for electricity and not becoming the victim of a scam or slam (a firm taking over your account without your permission).

Questions to Ask (click to expand):

What is the cost per kilowatt-hour? You will want to know the price to be able to compare it to the current price you pay to Ameren Illinois. Is it higher or lower? Is the price fixed for the duration of the contract or can the company change it? Some companies offer promotional rates, which can change after an introductory period, or have variable rates that can change monthly. Are there any other charges or fees that can be added to the quoted price? Such changes can reduce savings. Are there any other charges or fees that can be added to the quoted price? Some firms include additional charges like membership fees or pool charges and transmission charges. Such additional costs will reduce the amount of savings per kilowatthour. Is there a fee to opt out of the contract early? Some firms permit customers to cancel early without a fee. Others assess a fee to cancel early, which will reduce savings. If there is a cancellation fee, how much is it? Some companies charge substantial fees for cancelling a contract before the expiration date. It is a good idea to ask.

keep your money
in your wallet.

You and neighbors in your community who receive electricity from a regulated Illinois utility have the opportunity to form a “buyers group” to buy electricity. It is available under the state’s Municipal Electric Aggregation law. Since the law was enacted in January 2010, more than 2 million Illinois home and small business owners have done so, achieving savings in the cost of their electricity supply.* You have the opportunity to do it, too, so that you can keep more of YOUR money in YOUR wallet.

Here’s how Municipal Electric Aggregation works:
The law (20 ILCS 3855/1-92) allows you and your neighbors to pool, or aggregate, your electricity demand. That greater volume gives you the kind of “market power” to win lower prices for your municipality’s electricity supply. People in some 600 Illinois communities participating in the program already are enjoying real savings—and keeping their money in their wallet.

*Plug In Illinois—Power of Choice. Illinois Commerce Commission

frequently asked questions about municipal electric aggregation for ameren illinois customers

ABOUT ELECTRIC AGGREGATION

What is it?

A change in law in January 2010 allows residents and small businesses in a community to pool, or aggregate, their demand for electricity to seek lower prices for electric supply.

What are the benefits?

The key benefit is the opportunity to achieve savings in the cost of electricity supply.

Other advantages are that the price of electricity is fixed for the duration of the contract and that certain costs, like fuel adjustment charges not included in the default supply price, are included in the electric aggregation price.

What if the initial price is higher than the utility’s?

The municipality is not obligated to accept a proposed price.

How long would the supply price continue?

The price bid under electric aggregation is fixed for the duration of the contract.

How does a municipality establish a municipal electric aggregation program for its residential and small business constiuents?

First, the municipality’s Governing Board passes an ordinance to place the question on the ballot so that residents have the opportunity to vote on it.

Next, residents vote whether to accept it. If residents pass the referendum, the community may seek lower prices for their electric supply.

What is the difference between the electric aggregation program and the programs where companies are calling me to sell me electricity over the phone?

The main difference is in the buying power aggregation provides to you. Such marketers generally sign up customers one at a time, and in most cases the price is higher. The price frequently has been higher than the price of power Ameren Illinois delivers.

What questions should I ask to help me understand which program is better for me?

If you wish to compare retail prices for electricity to the price your municipality obtains, some questions you might want to ask are:
1. What is the rate?
2. How does it compare to the municipal aggregation rate?
3. Is the solicitor’s rate fixed or variable during the contract period? Variable means the ratecan go up or down monthly.
4. Can the contract be terminated before it expires?
5. Is there an early cancellation fee and, if so, how much is it?
6. Does the rate include the transmission charge (the cost of getting electricity from the electric generating station to your community)?
7. Does the rate include fuel adjustment charges (the cost of fuel to generate electricity that exceeds the fuel cost built into the utility’s rate)?

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible to participate?

Any resident and small business within the corporate limits of an Illinois municipality served by a regulated public utility is eligible to participate in a municipality’s electric aggregation program.

What small businesses can participate?

A small business that uses 15,000 kilowatthours or less per year is eligible.

Are customers of Ameren in the unincorporated area of a county eligible?

Yes. The term “municipality” refers to units of government including cities, villages, unincorporated areas of counties, and townships.

How would a county or township establish municipal electric aggregation?

In the same way as described above. The Governing Board passes an ordinance to place the issue on the ballot. Then the county or township’s residents vote on whether to accept it.

If the county establishes a municipal electric aggregation program, are customers of a regulated utilitiy who live in a city that is within the county eligible?

No. Each municipal government must establish its own program for its constituents.

ENROLLMENT

Will someone call or visit to sign me up?

No. Enrollment is automatic, and no one will call or visit.

If someone calls or visits claiming to represent your municipality or supplier, you may be scammed. Notify your municipality. You also may want to file a complaint with the Consumer Affairs Divison of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

How does one enroll in a municipal electric aggregation program?

Residential and small business constitutents in communities whose voters have passed a referendum to approve electric aggregation are enrolled automatically. No one, however, is obligated to participate. Residents may “opt out” for any reason and without penalty or cost.

Will a new resident of the municipality be eligible to participate?

Yes, and enrollment can be accomplished in three steps:
1. Sign up for service with Ameren
2. Obtain your Ameren account number.
3. Then call the municipality’s electric supply provider.

I moved to a different apartment in town. Will I continue to be eligible?

Yes, by simply following the steps above.

OPTING OUT

Will I have to participate?

No. You have a legal right to opt for any reason and at no cost or penalty.

How does one opt out?

Both the supplier and Ameren notify every eligible resident and small business by letter of their right to opt out and indicate ways to do so, including a toll-free number to the supplier’s customer service desk.

Does that mean one would be able to remain with Ameren?

Yes.

Will I be penalized if I opt out?

No.

ALTERNATE SUPPLIERS

Will I be able to join if I already have a contract with an alternate supplier?

Yes, but you will want to check your contract to make sure you would not be subject to a fee for cancelling your contract early.

If I am with an alternate supplier, will I be switched to the municipal program?

No. Your account will not be included on the eligibility list to avoid the risk of an early cancellation fee. You will have the choice to enroll, however, if you wish.

BILLS

Will I get two bills if we get a different electricity supplier?

Normally not. You will want to check with your municipality to find out how billing will be handled under your program.

Who will I call if I have a question about the bill?

You will continue to call Ameren’s toll-free number for service and billing questions.

SERVICES

Whom will I call if my power goes out or for other service problems?

You will call Ameren, which continues to provide distribution services in the municipality.

Will I risk poorer service from Ameren if I opt out?

No. Standards by law and regulation for the quality of Ameren’s service does not change.

Will I be hurting my delivery company by switching?

No. Ameren provides distribution service only. Any electricity it delivers within the community is provided by the Illinois Power Agency.

Will the delivery company raise rates if too many people switch?

No. Again, Ameren does not supply power, so a change in the electric supplier will not affect Ameren’s rates.

THE CONTRACT

What will the rate be?

That is determined by bid from qualified electric suppliers.

How will I know what the rate is before the program begins?

The new supplier will notify each resident and small business customer by letterof the bid price to compare and terms and conditions. That correspondence also will provide information about how to opt out for any customer who wishes to do so.

How long will the contract be for?

The duration will be determined in the bid. Suppliers usually propose rates for contracts of various durations.

Will the fixed price last the entire term of the contract?