Why is Ameren offering Power Smart Pricing?
Hourly, market based electricity pricing can benefit consumers, the environment, and the electrical infrastructure as a whole in several ways: • Offering an hourly pricing option increases customer choice. • Consumers could save money on their electricity bills. • Hourly pricing gives customers an incentive to reduce their electricity usage during times when demand is highest. This reduces strain on the electrical infrastructure, helping to maintain reliable electric service. • Lowering peak demand for electricity reduces or delays the need to build or operate additional power plants. In order to achieve these benefits, in July 2006 the Illinois legislature passed a law that requires the Ameren Illinois Utilities and ComEd (the utility serving northeastern Illinois) to offer residential customers the option of paying hourly, market-based prices for electricity. This legislation also required the utilities to contract with an independent organization to administer the program (Ameren Il
