Illinois

Find out how you can save thousands a month on your energy costs in Illinois!

Electricity:
In December 1997, House Bill 32, "The Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Act" was enacted, thus beginning the process of bringing consumer choice to the commercial, industrial and retail consumers of electric power in Illinois. Over the next several years, the major power companies, like Ameren Central Illinois Public Service Company (Ameren CIPS), Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and Illinois Power, along with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) began developing the necessary protocols to allow the competitive markets to develop. By May 1, 2002, all residential customers in the state were given the power to choose, following closely on the heels of businesses and industrial consumers who had been given the same power of free market choice. In December 2006, the ICC approved a plan for Ameren and ComEd to introduce rate hikes over the next three years (2007-2009) to consumers that were still received bundled services. Both Ameren and ComEd offer a fixed price but beginning in June 2010 all commercial entities will switch to an hourly-priced default rate. That means commercial entities will be subject to highly volatile, daily fluctuations in the market. These examples truly indicate how important it is for consumers to feel empowered by deregulation to make their own choices in determining who will meet their energy demands.

Energy deregulation (also commonly known as switching to "transportation service," "restructuring," "unbundling," allowing "direct access," or the creation of "retail choice") basically means that consumers in Illinois have been given the power of choice over who supplies them with electricity. The local distribution and transmission remain regulated and the prices for those services are still set by federal and state statutes and tariffs. This means that your local utility continues to deliver the electricity, regardless of who the consumer chooses to supply the energy. The utility also maintains the power grid and distribution system, responds to emergencies and reads meters. These 'unbundled' services would each be priced separately on a customer's bill.

To put it simply consumers of electric power in Illinois now have the ability to choose who they receive their energy from, but not who makes it or distributes it to them. Consumers can now shop for their energy!

The reasons for choosing an alternative electricity supplier are several, but generally the choice is made in search of:
1.) Lower Prices
2.) Price Stability
3.) Longer Term Contracts (locking in low rates for the long term)
4.) Energy from Environmentally Friendly Sources.

At SaveWaveEnergy.com, we firmly believe in the long term benefits the consumer will receive from deregulated electric power markets. For consumers and businesses alike in Illinois, we at SaveWaveEnergy.com are here to assist you in implementing the power to choose your electricity supplier in the most effective and cost friendly manner, with the ultimate goal of saving you money by helping you lock in the best rates today!

Natural Gas:
The Illinois Commerce Commission was first given the power to enact retail choice for natural gas consumption in the beginning of 1998. The three main natural gas utilities in Illinois, Nicor Gas Company (formerly Northern Illinois Gas), Peoples Gas and Light Company and North Shore Gas Company (the latter two have become subsidiaries of Integrys Energy Group, Inc.) have adopted consumer choice programs, and the response from consumers has been tremendous. For example, at Nicor, enrollment in such programs has nearly tripled, from 65,833 in March 2002 to 224,805 in February 2009. In addition, as of January 2009, the ICC has certified 15 alternative natural gas suppliers, 14 of whom serve residential customers in addition to commercial interests. Natural gas restructuring in the state of Illinois is wonderfully alive and well!

And again, the reasons for choosing a natural gas supplier are many, but generally the choice is made in search of:
1.) Lower Prices
2.) Price Stability
3.) Longer Term Contracts (locking in low rates for the long term)
4.) Energy from Environmentally Friendly Sources.

At SaveWaveEnergy.com, we firmly believe in the long term benefits the consumer will receive from deregulated natural gas markets. We at SaveWaveEnergy.com are here to assist you in implementing your power as a consumer in the state of Illinois to choose your energy supplier in the most effective and cost friendly manner, with the ultimate goal of saving you money by helping you lock in the best rates today!