The bulk-buying of electricity, known as electric aggregation, isn’t a good money saving model right now. Advisor Arnie Shramel from Progressive Energy Group told the Utica village trustees last week that Ameren is passing through better rates than any third party provider offers. Even so, the average Ameren customers should expect to see an increase of $600 per year in charges.
For its own electric rate, the village is staying with the provider it has for four years. And it’s considering solar panels on the village hall roof. The panels would have to be there for 25 years and could save 25% in electric costs. Shramel says it would be best for the city to let someone else invest the money in them though.