City of Zion Electrical Aggregation Program

City of Zion Electric Aggregation Program
Following the passage of an April 2013 voter referendum, the City of Zion contracted to procure lower-cost electric supply for residents and small businesses.
The City recently renewed the program and contracted with MC Squared Energy Services at a fixed rate of 6.59C per kWh for a 12-month term ending July 2018.
(This is actually lower than the current Zion rate of 6.65C that was fixed for the last three years!)

There is no enrollment fee to join, and no early termination fee to leave the program.

1. 1. How can I enroll in the program?
      During the initial three-week opt out period, you need do nothing if you received a notice at your Com Ed billing address; you will automatically be enrolled unless
      you opt out. After the initial opt out period, a ratepayer may enroll by calling MC Squared at 855-575-9231 and asking for the Zion rate of 6.590¢
   2. What is an eligible resident or small commercial account?
      Any resident who is currently with ComEd and has not already switched to an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES) or who is not enrolled in a special Residential Real-Time Pricing (RRTP) program is eligible, and small commercial accounts are eligible. You must also have a residence or business located within the City limits.
   3. What is a “small commercial account?
      A small commercial account is a commercial account that consumes less than 15,000 kWh per year.
   4. What if I don’t want to be in the program?
      You may opt out before the program begins, at no cost. You may leave the program after it begins, never any fee. Eligible resident and small commercial accounts
      will receive an opt out letter which they must sign and return within 21 days if they do not want to be in the program. Otherwise, they will automatically be enrolled.
      If you want to leave the program after having been enrolled, simply call MC Squared and to be moved back to ComEd or another supplier at any time.
      There is no early termination fee.
   5. I am located in Zion’s City limit, and have already switched to another Supplier, but would like to join the program. Can I do this?
      Yes. Contact MC Squared at 855-575-9231 to enroll. It is recommended you check your contract to review any early termination fees you may be liable for; you may
      wish to wait for your current contract to expire before enrolling in the aggregation program. You may join the program at any time during the 12 month contract.
   6. Why is the City doing this?
      A Municipal Electric Aggregation Program was approved by a simple majority in a voter referendum allowing the City to seek pricing from an ARES for residents
      and small commercial accounts.
   7. How can Zion get lower rates than ComEd?
      The State of Illinois deregulated energy markets. Deregulation and new technologies in electricity procurement have driven prices lower over the last decade.
   8. What is the current ComEd rate?
      The effective ComEd rate for June 2017 through May 2018 is 7.1853¢ per kWh and includes a variable charge or credit, the Purchase Electricity Adjustment (PEA).
      To find the current rate, visit http://www.pluginillinois.org.
   9. Will I get two bills, one from Com Ed and another from the new supplier?
      No. Com Ed will continue to bill you for electric supply, delivery and taxes. ComEd delivers electricity, and will continue to bill you for that, but they no longer
      supply it. They will pass along the fees you pay for the supply of your energy to the new supplier. Com Ed will retain the fees you pay them for delivery.
   10. Will that affect my Com Ed electric service?
       No. ComEd has not generated electricity since 2007. A government agency, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) has contracted your electric supply for you.
   11. Whom do I call if I have service problems?
       Always call ComEd with reports of outages or downed power lines at 800-334-7661. For questions about your supply, you can call the customer service number for
       Constellation. This will be listed under “Electric Supply Services” on your Com Ed bill.
   12. If I am automatically enrolled in the program now, can I leave the program at any time?
       Yes, you can later leave the program and move your account back to Com Ed or another Supplier. There is no early termination fee to leave.
   13. What is ComEd’s 6-month “hold” requirement?
       Please note State Regulations: If you move from the program back to Com Ed for longer than two months, your account is placed in a “bundled hold” status,
       and you may not return to the Zion program until a full six months has passed.
   14. Who is the new supplier?
       MC Squared Energy Services, LLC is headquartered in Chicago and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wolverine Holdings, certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission
       as an Alternate Retail Electric Supplier.
   15. I am enrolled in low-income assistance program. Will that be affected?
       No. If you currently receive assistance via PIPP or LIHEAP, that status will not change and you can continue to get these benefits for your Com Ed bill.
   16. I’m on ComEd’s budget billing plan. Will that change?
       No, you can stay on the budget billing plan.
   17. Can I still have my payment automatically deduced from my checking account as I do now?
       Yes. The way you pay your Com Ed bill will not change.
   18. Will someone come to my home or call to sign me up?
       No. You need do nothing to automatically be enrolled in the program. If someone calls or visits your home claiming to be the City’s power supplier,
       please report such activity to City Hall or file a complaint with the ICC at http://www.icc.illinois.gov/consumer/complaint.
   19. How is the City able to get competitive rates compared to the ComEd rate?
       By combining the purchasing power of all residents and small commercial accounts, the City of Zion was able to negotiate rates lower than residents can typically
       achieve when switching individually to a new supplier. Zion combined the purchasing power of resident accounts to negotiate a favorable rate.
   20. Is my electric supply at greater risk now that deregulation has opened markets to many new suppliers?
       No. By law, Com Ed remains the Provider of Last Resort (POLR), so if there is an issue with securing electric supply, ComEd will be required to deliver it, regardless.
   21. Does the energy supply renewable “green” energy sources?
       Yes. 13% of your energy consumption is sourced from renewable generation such as solar and wind and may be represented through the purchase of
       Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).The Illinois Commerce Commission offers more information about energy deregulation in Illinois and energy
       supply choices at www.pluginillinois.org.

       For questions about your electric account, do not call City Hall; call the new Zion aggregation program supplier:
       MC Squared Energy Services, LLC at 855-575-9231,Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

       If you require additional assistance, call NIMEC at 800-856-3404 to leave your question and callback number. You will be
       contacted within 24 hours regarding the issue.

       To report an electrical outage, or for questions pertaining to your Com Ed bill, call Com Ed at 800-334-7661.