1.0Citizens Utility Boardhttps://www.citizensutilityboard.orgrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="E7AvqpdGig"><a href="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2025/11/03/notice-beware-of-bad-electricity-deals/">Notice: Beware of bad electricity deals</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2025/11/03/notice-beware-of-bad-electricity-deals/embed/#?secret=E7AvqpdGig" width="600" height="338" title="“Notice: Beware of bad electricity deals” — Citizens Utility Board" data-secret="E7AvqpdGig" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> In a year when electricity prices have been high, you may get targeted advertisements or offers in the mail tempting you to switch to an alternative supplier. But remember that alternative electricity suppliers are often impacted by the same market conditions that cause utility prices to go up. Be careful about getting lured into bad deals.  CUB urges consumers to review the “Supply” section of their power bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including ”municipal aggregation” offers negotiated by local governments. It’s important to know your utility’s “price to compare,” which is the price you compare to alternative supplier offers: ComEd’s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026):  9.689¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (Appears as 0.09689 on bills.)  This price includes the supply price plus a transmission charge. Ameren’s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026): 8.402¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 800 kWh of usage. (Appears as 0.08402 on your bill.) 7.483¢ per kWh for electricity usage beyond 800 kWh. (Appears as 0.07483 on your bill.) These include the supply price plus a transmission charge plus a supply cost adjustment. IMPORTANT: Ameren’s price is +30% lower than what it was this past summer. If an alternative supplier promises savings, don’t take their word for it. Compare the price they quote you to your utility’s supply prices listed above. (The current price to compare for your utility also should be listed on your electric bill, and can be found on CUB’s Electric page and at plugin.illinois.gov.) While many customers may want the opportunity to shop around, there are a lot of pitfalls. A CUB review of state electricity choice reports found that Illinois consumers have lost more than $2 billion to alternative electricity suppliers over the last decade. An alternative supplier may offer a low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long a rate lasts, and what the new rate will be after the introductory period.) Also, be wary of add-on fees that can raise the cost of the plan. If a supplier offers a lower fixed supply price, scan the fine print for a ”force majeure” clause that allows the company to back out of the deal. (It’s happened before during high-priced times.)  You could be on a “municipal aggregation” deal. (Check this state resource to see if your community has a power deal.)  Municipal aggregation is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier to secure an electricity price for all residents who don’t opt out of the offer. But savings aren’t guaranteed, and CUB has received reports of community power deals with high rates. If you’re on a community power deal, confirm the price, how it compares with the utility’s supply rate, and for how long the contract is. You should be able to opt-out of any aggregation offer without paying an exit fee. CUB’s tips on avoiding bad alternative supplier deals:  Know the utility supply rate and how it compares to the offer.  It is likely the utility supply price is your best bet.  Make sure the offer is not an introductory rate […]https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/BewareofRipoffs.jpg10801350