Arlington Heights Customers in for a Shock: Electricity Bills Increasing

Beginning with their July bills, Arlington Heights customers could be paying more for their electricity, according to the village.

The hike comes after Constellation, Arlington Heights' energy supplier through the Northwest Aggregation Consortium, announced it was raising its supply rates to 7.152 cents/kWh starting in June, up from 6.621 cents/kWh, according to a village press release. That could translate into a monthly increase of about $3 and a total of about $35 to $40 more for the remaining 12-year aggregation agreement, the village estimates.

The increase also means that Constellation's rate as of June will likely be greater than ComEd's rate, which will be released at the end of May, according to the village. In 2012, Arlington Heights voters approved joining other communities in the Northwest Aggregation Consortium, an electric aggregation program that negotiates lower power rates for its participants than they normally would get on their own through ComEd.

The consortium's agreement with Constellation runs through May 2017. But what if customers don't want to wait that long? The village suggests the following:

Customers are encouraged to review current ComEd pricing, other market pricing, and the terms of the current aggregation contract to determine what option is best for them. There will be NO early termination fees for those who wish to terminate their electricity agreement with Constellation prior to May 2017. If you would like to end your contract with Constellation, you can do so by calling 1-877-585-3431.

Since being part of the consortium—which also includes Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Lincolnshire, Long Grove and Vernon Hills—the village estimates that the program has saved Arlington Heights customers about $8.01 million, breaking down to about a total of $320 per resident.

Customers with questions about electric aggregation can contact Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative, the consortium's aggregation consultants, at 800-727-3820. They also can go to the Plug In Illinois website for information on electric supply options.