City of West Chicago Electric Aggregation Program -FAQs
The City of West Chicago currently offers an ‘opt out’ Municipal Electric Aggregation Program to all residential and qualified small businesses. The City’s current Municipal Electric Aggregation Program rate of 6.71¢ per kWh expires in October 2018. The City of West Chicago has recently solicited bids to renew its Municipal Electric Aggregation Program, and after a thorough bid process we are pleased to announce that the City has selected Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. (Constellation) as your retail electric supplier. Constellation is an independent seller of power and energy service and is certified as an Alternative Retail Electricity Supplier by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC Docket No.14-0336).
The default ComEd rate today is 7.358¢ per kWh. The ComEd rate will be adjusted upward October 2018 to 7.941¢ per kWh (October 2018 to May 2019).
The City’s aggregation program renewal rate of 7.640¢ per kWh is contracted for a period of 12 months. This fixed rate was competitively bid.
Program to date, the average participating West Chicago ratepayer has saved $208 for a cumulative total of $875,000. The savings were indeed more substantial in the beginning, however, participants are expected to continue to realize savings with the City’s Aggregation Program.
Ratepayers are encouraged to check the website established by the Illinois Commerce Commission —www.pluginillinois.org — to determine the best “deal.” The ComEd rate floats, the City rate is fixed. The City rate is a good option to compare against the many individual offers which often have floating rates, added monthly fees, or other fine-print fees. It can also be compared to the ComEd rate, and should the ComEd rate unexpectedly decline, say at the May 2019 reset, residents can freely vacate and return to ComEd default service or another supplier for no early termination fee.
In fact, any ratepayer may choose to opt out of the program now, but can decide to join the program at any time during the 12 months, should s/he discover after some study/analysis that the City’s competitively bid rate is a “better deal” for them. If a customer does not opt out now but later chooses to return to ComEd or another supplier, there is a six-month wait period before s/he may return to the aggregation program at Constellation.
PROGRAM DETAILS
As an eligible participant, your account will be automatically enrolled in the program unless you choose to opt-out by September 12, 2018.
- Your new price of 7.640¢ per kWh is guaranteed until October 2019.
- There is no enrollment, switching or early termination fee.
- This is a firm fixed all inclusive rate.
NO CHANGES IN YOUR BILLING
You will continue to receive one monthly bill from ComEd. You will still be eligible for the same programs you are eligible for now through the utility, such as Budget Billing, payment agreements and energy efficiency programs. The only change will be in the Electric Supply price on your ComEd bill (https://www.comed.com/MyAccount/MyBillUsage/Pages/ResidentialBillBack.aspx#).
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
If you are a current City of West Chicago Electric Aggregation Program participant, you will be automatically enrolled with Constellation unless you decide to opt-out. Once your account is enrolled, you will receive a confirmation letter from ComEd confirming your “switch” to Constellation. Approximately 30 to 45 days after enrollment you will receive your first bill with your new Constellation price.
OPT-OUT INSTRUCTIONS
If you choose not to participate, you can elect to be removed from the Program by completing and returning the Opt-Out Card or calling Constellation at 1-844-252-3656. You can opt-out at any time, with no fee; however, to ensure that you are not billed at the Constellation renewed rate, you must opt-out by September 12, 2018. If you have questions or need additional information about Municipal Aggregation or Constellation, please visit http://www.constellation.com/il-WestChicgo for FAQs and community specific information. Constellation Customer Care is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 844-252-3656. If you need additional care, please call the City’s aggregation program consultant, NIMEC, at 800-727-3820. Leave your callback number on this voice message system, and your call will be returned promptly.
Please be advised you also have the option to purchase electricity supply from a Retail Electric Supplier (RES) or from ComEd pursuant to Section 16-103 of the Public Utilities Act. Information about your options can be found at Illinois Commerce Commission website: http://www.pluginillinois.org and www.ComEd.com. You may request from the Illinois Power Agency, without charge, a list of all supply options available to you in a format that allows comparison of prices and products.
