Electric Aggregation Proposal Subject of First Friday Luncheon

The effort to get residents of Effingham County to band together in an effort to buy electricity for cheaper rates was the topic at the November Chamber First Friday Luncheon.

(JEROD McMORRIS OF GOOD ENERGY)

Good Energy is the consulting firm hired by the City of Effingham and the Town of Mason to promote the aggregation effort.  Other firms are working to gain support for aggregation in other county communities and in the unincorporated parts of the county.  The Effingham County Chamber has been working with another firm on improved rates for businesses.  The effort discussed Friday is for residential customers or very small commercial customers.

Jerod McMorris of Good Energy said, in Effingham, if a majority votes "Yes" this Tuesday, Good Energy will be authorized to negotiate with electricity vendors on the best rate.  The winning vendor will pay Good Energy so, if the effort fails, the City is not out any investment on the effort.  If the majority votes "Yes", McMorris estimates city residents who have not already opted out of the program could save 20% on their energy costs.

McMorris said if the measure passes, city residents will receive two letters.  One letter will be to opt out of the program, the other would allow residents to continue receiving energy supplies from Ameren.  He emphasized that, regardless, residents will only receive one monthly bill and that will still come from Ameren.

McMorris said if the electric rates charged by Ameren would fall below the rates charged by whichever vendor gets the electric supply bid, city residents would resume receiving electricity from Ameren.

McMorris said, if the measure passes, residents could expect receiving the lower rates by February.