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Electrical Aggregation

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1. What if I don't want to be in the program?

You may opt out before the program begins, at no cost. Eligible resident and small commercial accounts will receive an opt out letter which they must sign and return within 14 days if they do not want to be in the program. Otherwise, they will automatically be enrolled.

2. I am located in Oak Forest's city limit, have already switched to another ARES, but would like to join the program. Can I do this?

Yes. Contact FirstEnergy Solutions at 866-636-3749 for information about how to enroll. We suggest 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 two-year contract, for no fee.

3. Why is the city doing this?

A Municipal Electric Aggregation Program was approved by voters in a March 20, 2012 referendum allowing the city to seek pricing from an ARES for residents and small commercial accounts.

4. Are other municipalities doing this?

Yes. In 2011, 19 Illinois cities undertook an aggregation program, and their residents have enjoyed savings off the ComEd rate for the past year. In 2012, nearly 250 additional Illinois municipalities passed a referendum to contract for lower electric rates on behalf of residents and small commercial accounts. Several million residents will be enrolled in similar programs across the state.

5. How can Oak Forest get lower rates than ComEd?

The State of Illinois deregulated energy markets. Exelon is no longer the sole electric supplier as over 20 new suppliers now offer electricity to residents. Deregulation, and new technologies in electricity procurement have driven prices lower.

6. What is the current ComEd rate?

The effective ComEd rate for the period June 1 2012 - May 31 2013 is 8.5 cents per kWh. This includes a fixed charge of 8 cents (which includes supply and transmission services) plus a variable charge, the Purchase Electricity Adjustment (PEA), which, as of spring 2012, was 0.5 cents.

7. How will the new supplier's rate compare with the ComEd rate under ""Electric Supply Services"" on my bill?

There is simply one fixed rate that covers both electric supply and transmission services, and no other charge for that portion of your electric bill. You will not be charged a Purchase Electricity Adjustment by FirstEnergy.

8. Will I get two bills, one from ComEd and another from the new supplier?

No. ComEd 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. ComEd will retain the fees you pay them for delivery.

9. Will that affect my ComEd 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. Now you can choose a new supplier.

10. Whom do I call if I have service problems?

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 FirstEnergy at 866-636-3749. This number will also be listed under ""Electric Supply Services"" on your ComEd bill.

11. How will I know if I am saving money?

Your new supplier's rate of 4.82¢ will be indicated on your ComEd bill along with the customer service number. Subtract that number (4.82¢) from the total current ComEd effective rate of 8.5¢ and the difference, multiplied by your kWh usage for the month, is the dollar amount you will have saved that month.

12. Will the new FirstEnergy rate change?

The rate is fixed for two years. The city can go back to bid for new rates when this term expires. You will automatically be included in the program again, or you can choose to opt out.

13. I am on ComEd's residential space heating rate of 5.073 cents per kWh. How do I benefit?

The Residential Electric Space Heat rate will increase on June 1, 2012 to a price to compare of 6.2 cents per kWh. Thus, at the Oak Forest aggregation program rate of 4.82 cents, you will save 22 percent off the ComEd price increase.

14. If I opt out now, can I change my mind later?

Yes, you may opt out now and join the program later, at no fee. Simply contact FirstEnergy and ask to enroll in the aggregation program.

15. 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 ComEd or another ARES. There is no early termination fee to leave the program.


The rate contracted for residents of the City is $0.0482 (or 4.82¢) per kWh for a term of two years.

16. When can I expect to begin saving money?

Your account will be enrolled in the aggregation program sometime late summer with the savings reflected on the following month's bill.

17. What is ComEd's 12-month ""stay"" requirement?

Please note ComEd has rules that prohibit customers from switching accounts frequently. If your account was with an ARES and you moved back to ComEd more than two months ago, you are under a 12-month ""stay"" and may not switch to a new supplier for that time.



If you are automatically enrolled in the City's aggregation program, and later switch back to ComEd, you must switch to a new supplier within two months or you will be subject to that 12-month stay.



If you have never chosen a supplier and choose to opt out of the aggregation program, you are not under a 12-month stay and may switch to another supplier at any time.

18. Who is the new supplier?

FirstEnergy Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp, an Akron, Ohio based, NYSE listed company. FirstEnergy Solutions is certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission as an Alternate Retail Electric Supplier in the State of Illinois. FirstEnergy has significant experience in municipal aggregations for electricity, serving over 1.5 millions residential accounts across several states.

19. I already have electric service with this supplier at a different rate. How can I join the aggregation program to get this new, lower rate?

Call FirstEnergy Solutions at 866-636-3749 for information about how to enroll in the aggregation program to receive the more favorable rate negotiated on your behalf by the City of Oak Forest.

20. 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 ComEd bill.

21. I'm on ComEd's budget billing plan. Will that change?

No, your budget-billing plan will not change. You will continue to receive your electric bill from ComEd, and your budget-billing plan will not be affected.


Because your supply costs will decrease significantly, several months into the program you should contact ComEd and request your budget bill plan be re-calculated to a lower amount.

22. What if the ComEd rate drops below the City's contracted rate at some future time?

The City of Oak Forest entered into a contract with FirstEnergy that offers price protection with the two-year fixed rate. FirstEnergy will match the ComEd rate, should the ComEd rate drop below the contracted rate during that period.

23. What is the downside of the program?

Residents of the 19 municipalities that enrolled in aggregation programs last year are reporting no negative issues and are very pleased with the savings on their electric bills.

24. 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 ICCl.

25. Will ComEd's viability be threatened by the loss of all these accounts?

No. Since 2007, ComEd no longer generates electricity but is responsible for delivery. ComEd rates are delivery rates only. Your new supplier rates are for the supply only.

26. Will ComEd raise its rates?

ComEd must request a rate hike from State of Illinois regulators. No matter whom you select as supplier, it won't affect whether or not ComEd increases its delivery rates.

27. What happens if I move?

If you stay within the city limits, you can remain in the aggregation program. If you move outside of the area, you will not be subject to an early termination fee. Check your new community to find out if they have a municipal electric aggregation program for which you can sign up. New residents moving into the community after the program begins will not be automatically enrolled in the program, but may contact FirstEnergy to enroll, for no fee.

28. How is the city able to get such low rates?

By combining the purchasing power of all residents and small commercial accounts, the City of Oak Forest was able to negotiate rates lower than residents can achieve when switching individually to a new supplier. Oak Forest combined the purchasing power of resident accounts to negotiate a very favorable rate.

29. Is my electric supply at greater risk now that deregulation has opened markets to many new suppliers?

No. By law, ComEd 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.

30. Will my utility tax decrease?

The aggregation program will not impact your utility tax due. You are taxed on energy usage in kilowatt-hours, not the dollar cost of supply.

31. Does the energy supply include renewable "green" energy sources?

Yes. One hundred percent of your energy supply usage is represented by renewable "green" energy resources via the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). This represents the full portion your electric use. These renewable resources may include, but may not be exclusive to solar, wind, hydro and methane gas energy sources. RECs are certified credits for the actual production of renewable energy.