City of Chicago Expands Ability for Small Businesses to Join Electric Aggregation

The City of Chicago and Integrys Energy Services announced changes to the City's electric aggregation program for small businesses meant to extend the service, on an opt-in basis, to some 40,000 additional small businesses

The Small Business Energy Advantage Program is designed for small businesses that were initially too large to qualify for the City's aggregation agreement under state law because they use more than 15,000 kWh annually but are included in ComEd's 0-100 KW and Watt-Hour delivery classes. Examples of these types of businesses include small to mid-sized churches, coffee shops, small storefront restaurants, small storefront retail spaces for service businesses, and individually metered tenant office spaces in commercial buildings.

The current aggregation rate for such small businesses is 5.589¢/kWh fixed through May 2014.

There is no early termination fee, and the supply used to serve the small business customers will not include coal-fired power.