New Municipal Electric Rate for Pawnee Residents (Ameren Customers Only)
The Village of Pawnee recently approved Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. to serve as the Electric Aggregation program supplier following a competitive bid process. The new municipal fixed electric supply rate will be effective June 2025.
Key Details:
- New Rate: $0.10899 per kWh
- Term: 12 months (starting with the June 2025 meter read)
- Supplier: Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.
- Note: This rate is for electric supply only. Ameren delivery and other charges 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:
The Municipal Electric Supply Aggregation Program applies to Ameren customers only. RECC customers are not included. Ameren’s current supply rate (your “price to compare”) is $0.08277/kWh. This rate 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. New rates will be posted as soon as they are available at: Price to Compare – Ameren Illinois
If you do nothing, you will be automatically enrolled in the electric aggregation program and protected from rate increases for the next 12 months.
What to Expect:
- You will receive a letter from Constellation and the Village of Pawnee explaining the program and the new rate.
- If you do nothing, you will be automatically enrolled in the new fixed rate.
- Please read your letter’s opt-out instructions carefully.
Opt-Out Details:
- Deadline to opt out for June 2025 meter reads is May 7, 2025. Residents can opt out now through May 2026. However, it may take one or two billing cycles be removed from the program if you miss the May 7th deadline.
- Even if you opted out of a previous program, you will need to do so again. Each time there is a contract with an updated price and term, a new opt out is required. An opt out is for the current offering only.
- If you opt out, you will receive Ameren’s supply rate.
- If you opt out, you cannot rejoin the municipal program for 12 months, even if Ameren supply rates fluctuate.
If you have any questions about the municipal aggregation program or the new electric supply rate, please call the Village of Pawnee or look for details in the letter from Constellation.
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:
- Market correction
- Reduced coal and natural gas production
- Closure of fossil fuel power plants
- Increased demand from electric vehicles (EVs)
- Growth of energy-intensive data centers
Has the program been successful?
Residents in CIMA communities have saved an average of 14.40% on their electric supply over the past 12 years.
While Ameren supply rates can fluctuate periodically, Municipal Electric Aggregation allows residents to lock in a supply rate and avoid price spikes. For instance, CIMA customers enjoyed a rate of $.07895/kWh from June 2022 to May 2025. Ameren rates reached a high of nearly $0.12/kWh over the same timeframe.
