MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC AGGREGATION
MEA INFORMATION
Municipal Electric Aggregation (MEA)
MEA is the result of a 2010 law that allows Illinois municipalities to purchase electricity for residents and small businesses in their community. It allows the municipality to pool the electric supply of residents and small businesses and then seek bids from retail electric suppliers (RES) on the open market for an electric rate for its pooled MEA members. Small business customers consuming 15,000 kilowatt hours or less annually are eligible to participate in the MEA program.
The MEA 2010 law requires municipalities to give residents and small businesses an opportunity to opt-out of municipal MEA programs. If they choose to opt-out, they can purchase electricity at Ameren’s default rate or they can contract directly with a RES. These are the same choices that residents and small businesses would have if either there was no MEA or a municipality decided to not continue their MEA program.
The Illinois Commerce Commission maintains the “Plug In Illinois” website, which includes a list of retail electric suppliers that residents/small businesses could contract with to purchase electricity in the Ameren Illinois utility area. The suppliers offer a variety of plans which include renewable energy, fixed/variable electricity rates, and different contract term lengths.
City of Champaign MEA Program
In March, 2012, the referendum giving the City authority to establish a MEA Program passed 5,206 vs. 2,866. The City’s Plan of Operation and Governance describes how the City intends to operate its MEA Program.
On June 15, 2023, the City of Champaign announced that it had executed a new electricity supply agreement with Constellation New Energy, Inc. (Constellation) for the City Municipal Electric Aggregation (MEA) Program. Constellation’s rate is $0.07863 per kilowatt hour (kWh) and was effective starting with August 2023 meter reads through July 2024 meter reads. Customers have the option of purchasing additional renewable energy at a rate of $0.08007 per kWh for 25 percent renewable, $0.08151 per kWh for 50 percent renewable, and $0.08438 per kWh for 100 percent renewable energy. Customers may contact Constellation at 1-833-465-2980 to sign up for an additional renewable option.
The Illinois Commerce Commission Rules part 470.240 requires the City’s selected Retail Electric Supplier to mail written notification to all residents and qualifying small businesses that they are eligible to participate in the City’s new aggregation program and electricity supply rates.
In July 2023, Constellation mailed all eligible MEA customers a welcome letter that included an option to Opt-out of the City’s MEA program. Eligible customers opening new Ameren accounts after July 2023 will receive the same letter. Residents and small businesses who receive the welcome letter and wish to continue to participate in the City’s MEA program do not need to do anything. Those who no longer wish to participate in the City’s MEA program will need to follow the Opt-out instructions in the letter. Current “Power Smart Pricing”, “Hourly Supply Service”, “Real Time Pricing”, and other retail provider customers will receive a different letter with instructions on how to Opt-in, if they choose.
As with previous City MEA programs, there are no enrollment, switching, or early termination fees associated with the program. Once enrolled in the MEA program, you may cancel at any time and switch back to Ameren by calling Constellation at 833-465-2980. Additional questions may be directed to the City of Champaign Public Works Department at 217-403-4700 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this short video, the City addresses some frequently asked questions about the City’s MEA program, including public notices, opting in/out, and renewable energy options. The video is a clip from the MEA Council Study Session held on December 5, 2023. That entire discussion can be reviewed on our website HERE.
Complaints
The City of Champaign has received calls from residents and small business owners about aggressive and misleading phone and in-person solicitations being made by other energy providers and alternate residential suppliers. Any claims made by their representatives that they are confirming enrollment into the City’s program, that time to act is limited, and/or that Ameren account information must be provided to enroll in the program are false and should be disregarded. The City will never contact residents in this manner. Residents should never compromise their security by providing their Ameren account information to anyone unless they specifically intend to sign up with an alternate electricity provider and leave the City’s MEA Program. .
Complaints about any aggressive behavior may be filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission Consumer Services Division by phone 800-524-0795 or online aticc.illinois.gov/complaints/public-utility or with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at 800-243-0618 or on their website. Residents can also report aggressive in-person solicitations to the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545.
