Electrical Aggregation

History: Following the passage of a voter Referendum, the Village of Sugar Grove contracted to procure electric supply in bulk for residents and small business owners by way of an Electric Aggregation program. The average participating Sugar Grove resident enjoyed savings on their ComEd bills for several years.

With savings no longer available vs. the ComEd rate—which continues to decline, now to an annualized 6.869¢ per kWh—the Village is restarting a Green Electric Aggregation program with Chicago-headquartered MC Squared Energy Services (MC2). The program enables Sugar Grove to earn designation as an EPA Green Power Community at zero added cost to ratepayers.

Notices were mailed to residents and small businesses on October 9. Some accounts will remain with ComEd, others will move to MC Squared, but the net effect for all is identical: all pay the same ComEd rate. The Village will acquire and retire Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for ratepayers’ consumption whether with ComEd or MC2. You do not need to take any action to participate unless you have a contract already established with another supplier; you may call MC2 to enroll at 833-748-0909.

MC Squared was formed in 2008 and has consistently enjoyed the highest, five-star customer service rating, as reported by the Illinois Commerce Commission for all of its tenure. MC2 has managed over 100 communities for municipal electric aggregation programs, serving several hundred thousand ratepayers.

You do not need to take any action to participate. Ratepayers will receive one of these notices, depending upon the current status of their account, whether with ComEd, in a private contract, or enrolled in one of ComEd’s Hourly Rate or Net Metering programs:

1. “Green Electric Aggregation Notice,” No action required; you will be enrolled unless you choose to opt out by returning the pre-paid card, calling 833-748-0909, or emailing as directed.
2. “Informative Only Notice,” you will remain at ComEd, but are considered a participant in the program. No action required.
3. “Electric Aggregation Opt In Notice,” you will remain with your current supplier in a private contract, but you may take action to enroll.
4. “Hourly or Net Metering: Informational Content Only” your account will remain at its current status with one of those programs. You may enroll but should understand how that will impact your account, as detailed in the notice—you may lose net metering credit, or be locked out of returning to ComEd’s hourly rate program for 12 months.

Some ratepayers receive an opt out notice. They may choose not to support the program and may opt out by returning the postage pre-paid card or calling 833-748-0909. Others remain at ComEd. Again, the net effect for all is the same: all pay the ComEd rate, with consumption offset by RECs acquired and retired on behalf of the Village of Sugar Grove.

Why are some accounts are served by ComEd, and some by MC Squared?

First, there is no difference to ratepayers: the price is identical for all. Suppliers analyze every meter; depending on complex usage patterns during peak demand periods throughout the year, certain accounts are selected to remain at ComEd and others switch to MC Squared. All pay the same identical rate and consumption is offset for all with Green Energy.

For questions, contact MC Squared Energy Services at SugarGrove@mc2energyservices.com or call 833-748-0909 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Program Benefits:

• Guaranteed at the ComEd rate, with no rate risk of paying more than ComEd
• No hidden fees, no termination fee, flexibility to join or leave the program
• Green / Renewable Energy at zero added cost by way of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from Midwest generation facilities such as wind and hydro
• The Village receives a Contribution for local initiatives, also at zero added cost to residents and the Village
• The Village will receive designation by the EPA as a Green Power Community

How Green Energy works:

View this 4-minute video clip by the EPA to learn about Renewable Energy: www.tinyurl.com/GreenEPA

No one from MC Squared, ComEd, or the Village will ever visit or call you to enroll. If a solicitor claims to be the Village supplier, MC Squared, or ComEd, take their information and report the incident to the ICC at www.icc.illinois.gov/complaints. Never reveal your ComEd account number or allow a solicitor to view your ComEd bill unless you are certain you wish to enroll with that supplier and have read all terms and conditions. If you have questions or unusual circumstances or issues, we will work to resolve them for you: Email sdurling@NIMEC.net or leave your name and callback number at 800-727-3820 and you will be contacted shortly.

Should residents choose to pursue other electric supply vendor options, they are urged to be cautious. Be sure to get all of the details before choosing a supply company as some supply vendors have variable rates that may spike after the start of the new contract, as well as charge penalties for exiting a contract early. Also be alert for utility scams. Some energy suppliers employ telemarketers and door-to-door salesmen to recruit new customers with promises of lower rates for switching. Salespeople may ask for your name, address and utility account number, but not a credit card, however, that information is enough to switch your provider either with your blessing or by “slamming,” the illegal practice of switching customers to another provider without their consent.

To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited offers and compare the rate of service and all terms and conditions before signing any contract or agreement. For a listing of electric supply vendors in Illinois and to compare rates and terms of state-vetted suppliers, please visit pluginillinois.org.

The Village of Sugar Grove supports Community Solar Programs.