As of Jan. 1, ComEd and Ameren hit Illinois consumers with a combined electric rate increase of $436 million (about $232 million for ComEd and $204 million for Ameren).
The rate-hike, which went into effect January 1, impacts “delivery” rates—what you pay the utility to deliver power to you—and accounts for a third to a half of the bill. Since this increase involves delivery rates, all ComEd and Ameren customers are responsible to pay the higher rates, regardless if they’re with an alternative power supplier.
Why the increases?
The delivery increases are in accordance with passage of the 2011 “Energy Infrastructure and Modernization Act,” or the “smart-grid bill.” The new law uses a formula to determine ComEd and Ameren rates annually for the next several years to pay for about $3.2 billion in system upgrades.
While hopeful that the upgrades will help consumers save money, we still think the rate hikes are excessive. That’s why we’re filing a “petition for rehearing” with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to try to reduce the rate hike as much as possible.
CUB Executive Director David Kolata added: “Our focus is also on holding ComEd and Ameren accountable and pushing them to live up to their promise of building a better power grid that maximizes consumer benefits. Illinois consumers deserve to see results.”
Check out ComEd and Ameren’s new delivery rates below. If you’re frustrated with the higher rates like we are, please send a message to state regulators, asking them to grant CUB’s petition and reduce the rate hikes.
Send a message opposing the ComEd rate hike!
Send a message opposing the Ameren rate hike!
OLD ComEd delivery rate | NEW ComEd delivery rate | |
Single family homes
Distribution Facilities Standard Metering Monthly Customer |
2.439¢ per kWh $3.41/month $15.77/month |
3.226¢ per kWh $4.42/month $11.53/month |
Multifamily homes
Distribution Facilities Standard Metering Monthly Customer |
3.172¢ per kWh $3.41/month $8.38/month |
3.435¢ per kWh $4.42/month $8.75/month |
Single family homes w/ electric heat
Distribution Facilities Standard Metering Monthly Customer |
1.163¢ per kWh $3.41/month $17.90/month |
1.690¢ per kWh $4.42/month $12.71/month |
Multifamily homes w/ electric heat
Distribution Facilities Standard Metering Monthly Customer |
1.467¢ per kWh $3.41/month $9.37/month |
1.651¢ per kWh $4.42/month $9.13/month |
OLD Ameren delivery rate | NEW Ameren delivery rate | |
Zone 1 (formerly AmerenCIPS)
Non-summer Over 800 kWh Summer Delivery Meter Charge Monthly Customer |
1.34¢ per kWh 0.513¢ per kWh 2.525¢ per kWh $4.19/month $11.44/month |
2.247¢ per kWh 0.898¢ per kWh 3.980¢ per kWh $4.79/month $11.09/month |
Zone 2 (formerly AmerenCILCO)
Non-summer Over 800 kWh Summer Delivery Meter Charge Monthly Customer Monthly Customer Charge |
1.766¢ per kWh
0.770¢ per kWh 2.798¢ per kWh $4.19/month $11.22/month |
2.247¢ per kWh
0.898¢ per kWh 3.980¢ per kWh $4.79/month $10.82/month |
Zone 3 (formerly AmerenIP)
Non-summer Over 800 kWh Summer Delivery Meter Charge Monthly Customer |
1.967¢ per kWh 1.376¢ per kWh 3.246¢ per kWh $4.19/month $11.55/month |
2.758¢ per kWh 1.930¢ per kWh 4.552¢ per kWh $4.79/month $11.20/month |