Name change won't affect electric service, rates in Vernon Hills

Vernon Hills residents can expect a letter of clarification regarding their electric supplier.

The village as a member of a consortium comprised of Vernon Hills and six other communities in spring 2014 selected Constellation Energy Resources LLC and its affiliate Constellation New Energy Inc. to provide electricity for the aggregation program.

Since then, Constellation New Energy has acquired Integrys Energy Services Inc., and they are merging to create a new entity to be known as Constellation Energy Services. The agreement requires village approval to assign the agreement to the new entity, but Constellation is still required to service the village under the original contract.

Village officials say there will be no noticeable difference to the current level of service and residents don't need to take any action.

"There's no change in the rates or current aggregation program whatsoever," Village Manager John Kalmar said.

According to the village, the Illinois Commerce Commission requires Constellation to send notices to each resident who participates in the aggregation program informing them of the name change.

Vernon Hills has been working with consortium partners as well as the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Cooperative, a consultant that represents about 130 municipalities on the content of a letter to "lessen the confusion" for residents.

Constellation New Energy asked for written authorization from the village to assign the agreement to the new entity and the village board agreed to let Kalmer do so with his signature.

"It's just a name change. It doesn't really affect anything," said village Trustee Thom Koch.