Electric Aggregation Leaves Residents with Unanswered Questions

Tonight's meeting at St. Anthony's Church gave city leaders a chance to explain Rockford's new electric plan and rates. Also present were representatives from ComEd, FirstEnergy Solutions and Citizens Utility Board. The meeting, held by 13^th Ward Alderman Linda McNeely drew a larger crowd than expected.

A letter the City of Rockford sent several weeks ago to residents shouldn't be tossed aside. The letter stated that residents would be automatically enrolled in the new program or they could opt-out. Residents that already have an alternative energy supplier didn't receive the city's letter in the mail unless it was from their current supplier.

In March, a referendum was passed by voters to approve the electric aggregation plan. The referendum allowed the city to find a different, cheaper energy supplier than ComEd.

The city negotiated a rate of 4.66 cents per kilowatt hour with FirstEnergy Solutions. The current ComEd supply rate is 8.30 center per kWh. That's a savings of forty-three percent.

Resident Linda Tripp attended the meeting to relay information back to her elderly neighbors, "They're scared to switch they think the prices won't be fixed the way they say they're going to be fixed, they think it will go up then double on them."

Many also showed up because they already have an alternate supplier and want to join the city's new program, but don't know how.    

"They need to know they need the best price they can get. A lot of these people are just like me on fixed incomes so they need to know the best prices," explained Tripp.

Now some companies are misrepresenting themselves and soliciting residents door to door or by phone. 

Director of Better Business Bureau's Rockford Regional Office Dennis Horton said "there are alternatives to FirstEnergy and the aggregation program. What's happening now is those companies are taking advantage of this change and not being clear that they're not with the city."

With the change ComEd will still bill residents and be responsible for service---they just won't be the energy supplier.

"I'm very pleased to hear that Rockford got an alternative," said Tripp.

Residents who already have alternative energy suppliers and would like to opt into the aggregation program can call FirstEnergy Solutions at (866) 636-3749. City leaders advise checking with terms and conditions of the current agreement to avoid fees or other penalties.

The city's new partnership runs until September 2014. If ComEd's energy rates drop FirstEnergy Solutions will match them.  Residents staying enrolled in the new program will see the change on their bills in September.