Arlingtong Heights Chooses New Electricity Supplier for Municipal Aggregation
Residents and small businesses should be receiving information in the mail regarding the Village's recent agreement with Constellation Energy Resources as the new electricity supplier for eligible customers in Arlington Heights. Residents voted two years ago in support of a Municipal Aggregation Program, which gives the Village the opportunity to negotiate a contract with an electricity supplier in an effort to receive competitive pricing for the community.
The current 2-year term of the program with Integrys is ending soon. Arlington Heights participated in a consortium of area municipalities to find the best pricing for an electricity supplier, and the supplier with the lowest rate was Constellation. The Village entered into a 3-year agreement with Constellation at a fixed price of 6.621 cents per kilowatt hour for 100 percent "green" energy. The term "green" energy means that all of the energy provided for the electricity purchased by the Village comes from renewable resources such as wind, solar and water.
This new supplier's cost will be reflected in the May meter readings, and the agreement will run through the end of April, 2017.
The packet of information mailed to residents and small businesses regarding the Village's Electricity Aggregation Program will include the Village's seal on the front of the envelope with the words "Important information regarding the Village of Arlington Heights Electricity Aggregation Program."
The packet will explain that this is an Opt-Out program, meaning that eligible customers will become part of the Village's program automatically - no action is required - unless a customer desires to Opt-Out. The deadline to Opt-Out is March 26, 2014.
If a customer chooses to "Opt-Out" of the Aggregation program with Constellation, ComEd will supply their electricity. ComEd offers "brown" energy, which is not 100% renewable and is energy mainly provided by fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
All customers, whether they opt out or not, will have their electricity distributed by ComEd. As before, customers will still receive bills from ComEd and will report any outages to ComEd. ComEd distributes/delivers the electricity, but the source of the electricity will come from Constellation.
In addition to an explanation of the Municipal Aggregation Program, the mailing also includes information on four ways to Opt-Out, Frequently Asked Questions, Terms and Conditions, and a stamped and addressed Opt-Out Card that can be mailed to Constellation New Energy.
Individuals are advised to be cautious of offers from other firms seeking to contract with customers. The Village recommends comparing the rate of service and all terms and conditions before signing a contract or agreement.
Residents and business consumers can review Information on Constellation by visting www.constellation.com/government/pages/governmental-aggregation.aspx, or calling Constellation at 800-718-1493. Any questions can be submitted to Public Works by emailing electricityagg@vah.com or calling 847-368-5800.