Quincy city electric aggregation notices mailed out

QUINCY (WGEM) — Quincy residents have options when it comes to managing their monthly electric bills.

“Ameren did raise its price June 1. It jumped about 29% to 11.326 per kilowatt-hour and the market actually was down a bit about that same time, and we took advantage of it and made the recommendation to the city and then the city adopted the contract with Homefield,” said Reg Ankrom, the City of Quincy electric aggregation consultant.

The city has officially partnered with Homefield Energy for its Municipal Aggregation Program, which is designed to secure lower supply rates for eligible households and small businesses.

“The problem is there’s limited supply. We’re not growing electricity and we’re not building any new plants, we’ve actually closed down a number of coal-powered plants, and we actually have less generation in Illinois than we had generated from coal. The good news is we’ve built wind and solar, so some of that’s made up,” Ankrom said. “Up until about 2010 rates were regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission and the commerce commission recognized that there was an opportunity for people to have competing rates and that’s what we do, that’s what Quincy is participating in and Quincy got the benefit of the competition with a lower rate for this contract.”

Through the city’s aggregation program, residents get a split rate starting at 10.49 cents per kilowatt-hour, which will adjust to 10.89 cents in 2027.

“If you stay with Ameren, the rate is 11.326 cents, which is about almost a penny higher than the Homefield rate. So, people have the choice if rate make difference, cost makes a difference that’s the way they’ll go. If they are committed to Ameren and I’m a former Ameren employee for 22 years, I like the company, if you’re committed to Ameren they’ll stay with Ameren. So, the good news is you’re always in the driver seat as the consumer, it’s your choice,” Ankrom said. “The new contract which begins in August will continue through meter readings in December 2027, so it’s a 17-month contract and during that time we as the city’s broker and consultant will be continuing to look at the market to see when we can find a better contract. We like to know Ameren’s cost first so that we make sure that we’re below Ameren’s price.”

If you live in Quincy, you are automatically enrolled in this program unless you choose to opt-out.

“The electric aggregation law requires that each person who has the opportunity to participate get a letter before the contract begins. It’s to notify them of the rate, the terms and conditions and their right to opt out,” Ankrom said.

However, you are not locked in.

“It’s their choice. I mean it’s not anyone’s business to tell people what to do. The law was set up so that people would have the opportunity through the opt out program to get the lowest rate possible,” Ankrom said.

Utility customers can opt out of the city’s aggregation plan at any time with no penalty and return to Ameren Illinois for their electric supply.

“We’re always in the driver’s seat as the people who are the consumers in Quincy and so we have the right to either choose an alternative retail electric supplier, choose Homefield for our supplier or stay with Ameren,” Ankrom said.

City officials urge residents to check their recent mail for any official city aggregation notices and to review their electric bills to ensure they are getting the best rate for their household.

“People are getting the letter because the law requires it and it’s happening now because the market is giving us the rates in that makes sense compared to Ameren. Our job is to find for the city a rate that’s lower than Ameren and we’ve done that for the term of the contract,” Ankrom said. “What they should do with the letter is to determine whether or not the electric aggregation rate makes sense to them or whether they want to remain on Ameren or any alternative supplier they may have.”

No matter which supply option you choose, Ameren Illinois will continue to deliver your power, maintain the lines, and handle your billing.

“Suppliers like Homefield provide the supply of electricity. Ameren has no generation anymore, so it too is looking on the market for electric utilities to serve Quincy, but it will remain the distribution company. The people who you call if you had a question about your bill or if you have a power outage or flickering lights or that sort of thing, Ameren remains that company that takes care of those issues,” Ankrom said.