The Ecology Action Center urges Bloomington-Normal residents to stay in the municipal electric aggregation program even with hefty rate increases coming this summer.
Rates will rise for most Twin City residents by about 40%. Corn Belt Energy co-op customers are not part of the contract with Constellation NewEnergy negotiated by a consortium of about 20 municipalities including Bloomington and Normal.
The Normal-based Ecology Action Center said people should wait and see if the negotiated rate remains better than the open market price per kilowatt hour when rates bump up in June.
“Even if you're unsure, don’t opt out just yet — there’s no penalty for leaving later, and this program historically offers better pricing stability compared to what's expected from Ameren’s default supply rate, which is likely to increase,” said center director Michael Brown.
Opting out too early could mean switching to a higher and more volatile rate, said Brown. The new Ameren supply rate should be available in the next month or so.
The municipal aggregation rate is locked in for a year. That’s less than the average 2–3-year terms of past agreements. Town officials have said the size of the market correction encouraged a shorter contract to see if they can do better next year.
The Ecology Action Center also recommends exploring community solar programs that allow residents to subscribe to a share of a local solar farm and receive credits on their utility bills. Many of these programs offer guaranteed savings compared with Ameren’s standard supply rates, with no upfront costs or installation required, said the center.
“Community solar is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to go green and save money,” said Michael Bay, EAC energy coordinator. “It supports local renewable energy and gives residents a discount on their electric bills at the same time — it’s a win-win.”
Bay said a new community solar program will come online soon in the Twin Cities. Residents can find a link to a listing of current community solar programs from the Citizens Utility Board.
The center also encouraged residents to take advantage of low-cost home energy audits that can help identify inefficiencies and low-hanging fruit for savings — like better insulation, smart thermostats, or upgraded appliances.
“Every kilowatt saved is money back in your pocket,” said Bay. “An energy audit can uncover simple fixes that quickly pay for themselves.”
The center strongly recommended against door-to-door energy or solar program sales.
“The more aggressive sales pitches are often not the best deal for local residents despite what salespeople may say,” said the center.
