Jump in Electricity Rates Coming on January Bills in Effingham

Volatility in the energy markets extends to electricity.

Effingham City Administrator Steve Miller told members of the City Council on Tuesday evening that electricity bills in January will reflect a change of supply rates from 4.19 cents to 12.24 cents per kilowatt hour.

Miller has represented Effingham in a group of several cities and counties working together to bid electric supply for residents. The cities of Charleston, Effingham, Mattoon and Paris along with Coles County are nearing the end of a contract with the 4.19 cents per kilowatt hour rate.

The buying group worked to solicit new electric supply bids, but were unable to secure an offer with a satisfactory combination of price and duration due to the volatility in the market. The decision of the group was to pause the aggregation program and to revert back to Ameren as the electrical supplier for the communities. The group intends to consider competitive offeres again for the electrical supply in the Fall of 2023.

A reminder that no action is needed from Effingham residents. You might be contacted by someone, but that contact is not associated with the buying group. City officials suggest that residents beware of scams offering better rates.

Anyone who may need help with their monthly energy bills can find a list of township offices and not-for-profit orgnaizations offering assistance programs on Ameren's website. Qualifying households can take part in LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. More information can be obtained by calling 1-877-411-9276 or visiting www.ameren.com/illinois/residential/energy-assistance/liheap.