Citizens Utility Board

Ameren Illinois customers are facing higher electricity costs this summer, but the cheapest-looking alternative may not be the better deal. A consumer watchdog group says many supplier switches could end up costing more than staying put. The summer supply price from Ameren runs from June 1 through September 30 and has increased to 11.326 cents per kilowatt-hour. That is about a 39% jump from Ameren’s summer supply rate two years ago. Why The Price Is Moving Up Rising electricity demand is helping push costs higher, including demand tied to new and proposed data centers. That same market pressure is also affecting alternative suppliers, which is one reason lower headline offers can be misleading. The Citizens Utility Board, or CUB, still considers Ameren the better deal and warns that many competing offers may look attractive at first but become more expensive later. According to CUB estimates, Illinois consumers have lost about $2 billion to alternative electricity suppliers since 2015. What To Watch Before Switching CUB warns consumers to look out for teaser rates that expire after a short period, hidden fees, and automatic contract renewals that can trap customers in pricier plans. Some offers also include introductory prices that rise later or monthly charges that add to the bill. Residents are also being told not to share utility bills or account numbers with door-to-door sales representatives, since that can lead to unauthorized supplier switches known as “slamming.” What The Switch Can And Cannot Change Alternative suppliers only affect the supply portion of an electric bill. They do not protect customers from future utility delivery-rate increases, which means a lower supply offer does not lock in the full monthly bill. For households trying to reduce costs this summer, CUB recommends focusing on energy efficiency, checking payment assistance programs, and comparing any supplier offer carefully before signing up. Ameren’s next supply rate, covering October 2026 through May 2027, is expected to decrease but has not yet been finalized. Read more at: www.yahoo.com

Ameren Bills Are Climbing, But Switching Suppliers Could Cost Even More