10/02/2025
MUNICIPAL ELECTRTICAL AGGREGATION UPDATE
Several area cities and counties have been working together to secure competitive electric supply rates for our residents through a municipal aggregation program. The participating communities include Charleston, Effingham, Mattoon, Paris, Neoga, Oakland, the Villages of Ashmore, Lerna, and Humboldt, along with Coles County. Our current contract with Homefield Energy provides a fixed rate of 11.895 cents per kWh through December 2025. For comparison, Ameren’s Price to Compare rate is currently published at 8.402 cents per kWh from October 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026.
Recently, the buying group, with guidance from our consultant, The Stone River Group, solicited new bids for electric supply. However, due to ongoing volatility in the energy market, we have not yet been able to secure an offer that provides both a competitive rate and favorable contract terms. If a new agreement cannot be finalized by November 1, 2025, the group may decide to temporarily suspend the aggregation program and revert back to Ameren as the electricity supplier until December 2026. This would result in residents receiving Ameren’s standard rate until a new group contract can be established in the future. In this scenario, residents and businesses will automatically transition back to Ameren following the conclusion of the Homefield Energy contract in December.
Residents currently enrolled in the aggregation program will have the option to opt out at their next billing cycle by contacting Homefield Energy at 1-866-694-1262 or Ameren at 1-800-755-5000 (business customers should call 1-800-232-2477).
Please note: some companies may contact residents with offers for alternative electric supply contracts. These companies are not affiliated with the aggregation program. We encourage residents to carefully review any offers before signing.
Municipal Electric Aggregation was approved by voters in November 2012 as a way to purchase electricity for residents and small businesses at wholesale prices. Since its inception, the goal for the program has been to provide savings for participants.
For households needing assistance with energy costs, a list of township offices and nonprofit organizations offering support can be found on Ameren’s website. Eligible households may also qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded program that provides financial help with utility bills. More information is available by calling 1-877-411-9276 or visiting www.ameren.com/illinois/residential/energy-assistance/liheap. Ameren also provides energy-saving tips and flexible billing options online.
