Alton, IL, May 6, 2025 – Alton’s municipal aggregation program has been renewed. The goals of the Program is to protect residents and small business owners from increases in electricity supply costs. In partnership with their energy consultant, Good Energy, LP, Alton signed a one-year fixed-rate contract with a price of $0.12048 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for their official residential and small commercial aggregation program. Ameren recently filed their summer rate with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) at $0.12547 per kWh, beginning June 1, 2025, and covering the summer months through September 2025. Ameren account holders that enroll in the Program will see considerable savings during the summer months, the highest usage months of the year. Small commercial accounts (15,000 kWh or less/year) will enjoy even larger savings with Ameren’s small commercial rate climbing to $0.14580 per kWh. The municipal aggregation program was approved by voters in 2012 and has been in effect for nearly 13 years. The Program is designed to give residents an additional option when shopping for an electric supplier and provides insurance and protection against any potential spikes in the energy market. Longer term fixed rates provide budget stability for participants. In 2022 and early 2023, the program rate kept the cost of electric supply well below Ameren’s rates for residents of Alton. During that period, Ameren’s rate went above 12 cents per kWh while the program rate offered a substantially lower rate of $0.04390 per kWh. The City’s aggregation program has been extremely popular with residents and small commercial account holders. On average, over 70% of city account holders participate in the Program, reaching as high as 90% participation.

  • Municipal aggregation was voted on and approved by residents by referendum in March 2012.
  • The opt-out program structure was approved by state legislators in 2010. Opt-out letters that detail the Program are required to be sent to eligible account holders any time there is a change in rate, term, or supplier. Ameren, conversely, is not required to provide any notice prior to rate changes and can adjust their rates at any time, while the program’s fully fixed rate will remain unchanged during the term of the current agreement, June 2025 through May 2026. However, it is important to keep in mind the aggregation has locked in all the supply components of the rate except for the capacity portion through December of 2026. This should also put the aggregation program in a good position next year when the summer rate resets again for the summer months. The aggregation program is designed for long term stability where participants who stay in the program capture the best results.

 

  • Please be advised that if you previously opted out of the Program and receive an opt-out notice this period, Illinois law stipulates that you must opt out again if you do not wish to participate.
  • The Program is designed to give residents an additional electricity supply choice, while providing budget stability and protection from spikes in the cost of their electricity.
  • Residents can opt out at any time without fees or penalties.
  • If a participating account holder opts out of the Program and returns to Ameren basic generation service (BGS), they must select a new supplier within 60 days or they will revert to Ameren default service for a total of one year. This is known as BGS Hold.
  • The Ameren supply rate changes throughout the year and has done so nearly 30 times over the past 12 years, while the aggregation rate has changed only eight times during the same period.
  • The new aggregation rate for the City of $0.12048 per kWh will be effective with Ameren’s June meter read dates. Keep in mind, the current rate posted on Ameren’s website and the ICC’s consumer website, Plug in Illinois, will not reflect Ameren’s new higher rate of $0.12547 per kWh until June 1, 2025. The City’s energy consultant, Good Energy LP, suggests waiting for Ameren to post the new rates before considering opting out.
  • Residents may opt out of the Program by mailing back the pre-paid postage opt-out card sent by the supplier, Homefield Energy, or by calling Homefield Energy at (833) 200-9834. Eligible account holders may also opt out via Homefield Energy’s online site: com/optout.
  • For additional information, please contact the City’s consultant, Good Energy, at (844) 686-4244.