Municipal Electric Aggregation

New Municipal Electric Rate for Pawnee Residents

The Village of Pawnee has secured a new municipal fixed electric supply rate for all residential and small commercial Ameren accounts, effective June 2025.

Key Details:

  • New Rate: $0.10899 per kWh
  • Term: 12 months (starting with the June 2025 meter read)
  • Supplier: Constellation
  • Note: This rate is for electric supply only. Delivery and other charges from Ameren still apply.

What’s Changing?

  • The current municipal rate ($0.07895/kWh, set in 2022) will expire on May 31, 2025.
  • Constellation will remain the supplier—only the rate is changing.
  • Your monthly electric bill will still come from Ameren.

What This Means for You

As of now, Ameren’s supply rate (your “price to compare”) is $0.08277/kWh. This rate also ends on May 31, 2025.

Estimates suggest Ameren’s new rate could rise to between $0.11000 and $0.12000 per kWh starting in June 2025.

What to Expect:

  • You will receive a letter from Constellation and the Village of Pawnee explaining the program and the new rate.
  • Please read the opt-out instructions carefully.

Opt-Out Info:

  • If you do nothing, you will automatically be enrolled in the new fixed rate.
  • If you opt out, you will stay with Ameren’s supply rate.
    • However, you cannot rejoin the municipal program for 12 months, even if Ameren’s rates go up.

Why the Village Locks in Electric Rates

In 2012, Village residents approved a referendum allowing the municipality to negotiate electric supply rates on behalf of residents who do not opt out.

To secure better pricing, Pawnee joined the Central Illinois Municipal Aggregation (CIMA)—a group of 22 communities working together to get competitive, bulk electricity rates.

CIMA Communities Include:

Arcola, Athens, Atlanta, Benld, Bloomington, Bunker Hill, Chrisman, Dunlap, Galesburg, Greenview, Heyworth, Kansas, Lincoln, Logan County, Mason, Mt. Zion, Normal, Pawnee, Petersburg, Princeville, Randolph, and Tuscola.

Benefits of Participation:

  • Group buying power = lower rates
  • Protection from price spikes
  • No contracts or fees for participation

Why Are Rates Going Up?

Several factors are contributing to higher electricity prices:

  1. Market correction
  2. Reduced coal and natural gas production
  3. Closure of fossil fuel power plants
  4. Increased demand from electric vehicles (EVs)
  5. Growth of energy-intensive data centers

If you have questions about the municipal aggregation program or the new electric supply rate, please contact the Village of Pawnee or look for more details in the letter from Constellation.