About Electric Choice
There are three steps to getting electricity: generation (production of
electricity supply), transmission (movement of that electricity from the
generation facility to the local distribution system), and distribution (the
delivery of purchased power to your business or home.) In the past one
company provided all parts of your electric service (generation, transmission
and distribution). With electric choice, the electric supply may now be
provided by different companies known as Suppliers. The transmission and
distribution function will continue to be provided by your electric utility.
Depending on the area you live in, you may have the ability to choose which
company supplies your electricity. The Illinois Electric Service Customer
Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997 restructured the state’s electric service
industry to allow for competition among suppliers.
With Electric Choice, you choose who provides the supply portion of your
electric service. Power may be sold by both your electric utility as well as
suppliers. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will continue to oversee
the provision of electric service and competition in Illinois.
Important Information to Consider When Shopping for an Electric Supplier
- Know how much electricity you use each month. Electric usage is measured in kilowatt hours on your bill. You can get that information from your local electric utility. Ameren residential customers can obtain that information by logging in here, and ComEd residential customer customers can obtain that information by logging in here.
- Know what your local electric company charges for the supply of electricity. This price is indicated as the Electric Supply charge on your utility bill.
How to Compare Prices? It is important to understand the different types of offers available from suppliers and decide if you want a fixed rate or rate that varies based on market conditions. Some offers may have lower introductory rates or rates that guarantee savings over the utility price for a certain period of time. As always, it is important to ask questions and make sure you understand the price, terms and conditions before agreeing to a contract.
What is a variable rate plan? On a variable rate plan, the price per kilowatt hour can change depending on market conditions.
What is a fixed rate plan? A fixed rate plan allows you to contract with an electric supplier for electricity to be billed at the same amount per kilowatt hour for a specified period of time and the same customer service charge.
What is a fixed bill plan? On a fixed bill plan, a customer will pay the same dollar amount per billing period (usually a month) regardless of the kilowatt hours consumed that month.
Billing
The charges on the electric bill could include:
- Generation charge for producing electricity supply.
- Transmission charge for transporting electricity from the generation source to the local utility.
- Delivery service charge for distribution service provided by the electric utility company to keep the transmission and distribution systems functioning so customers can receive electric service.
- Customer charge which is a basic service charge to partially cover the costs of billing, meter reading, equipment and service line maintenance.
Customer Protections
Unauthorized Switch of Suppliers or Slamming. The law prohibits switching customers
without the customer’s authorization. To protect yourself from an unauthorized change of supplier, only provide your personal
information such as name, address, phone number and utility account number over the phone or in person when you are ready to
switch to a supplier.
Terms of Service. Before beginning to provide service, a supplier must provide a terms
of service statement detailing charges, length of the contract, process for notification of changes in the terms of service and
a toll-free customer service number.
Access to Billing Data. Customers or authorized agents are entitled to obtain their
billing and usage data from the current electric utility upon request but may be required to pay a reasonable fee.
Customer Service Call Center. All electric utilities and suppliers are required
to provide a customer service call center where customers can receive assistance and information.
Dispute Resolution. If an electric supplier or local utility fails to provide
promised service, the law permits you to file a complaint online with the ICC, by phone at 800-524-0795 and /or
with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (800) 386-5438 (Northern Illinois), (800) 243-0618 (Central Illinois),
and (800) 243-0607 (Southern Illinois).