1 Million More Illinois Residents to Enjoy Competitive Electric Savings

CHICAGO, March 22, 2012 -  Following voter approval Tuesday of ballot initiatives in more than 200 Illinois communities, roughly 1 million more Illinois residents are now positioned to save on home electricity rates. They join more than 316,000 Illinois residents who have already switched to an alternative electricity supplier, and now stand to benefit from competitive prices that can reduce their monthly electricity rates through participation in a municipal aggregation program.

One leading energy supplier offering savings to municipal aggregation programs is Constellation Energy, an Exelon company which has provided electric and natural gas service to thousands of the state's largest employers, schools, hospitals and municipalities for more than a decade.

Constellation Energy also provides competitive electricity service to Illinois residents through direct sales separate from municipal aggregation programs. Constellation Energy is currently offering Illinois residents up to 18 percent savings off ComEd's current electricity rate and up to 22 percent savings off Ameren's current rate.*

"The response to electricity choice savings in Illinois has been outstanding," said Bruce Stewart, chief retail marketing officer for Constellation Energy. "We are thrilled so many Illinois residents who have not yet taken advantage of electric choice can now benefit from the lower rates we can provide, whether it is through a municipal aggregation program or our other retail offers." 

As a result of the passage of these referendums, a bid selection process and negotiations with communities and consortiums that have approved municipal aggregation programs will begin in the next few months. Constellation Energy is an active participant in this process. 

"We are always looking for opportunities to offer our trusted and experienced service, innovative products and services, and the opportunity for price certainty and low rates to more Illinois consumers," said Stewart, noting that Constellation has been a leading provider of residential electric choice since it became available in early 2011. 

The offer to Illinois homeowners and renters is made by Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. Exelon also owns ComEd, which continues to provide delivery service to customers who choose an alternative electric supplier such as Constellation Energy. Illinois residents not involved in a municipal aggregation program can sign up with Constellation Energy at www.constellation.com or 866.577.4700.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is the state agency that oversees the competitive retail electric market in Illinois. Additional information about customer choice and competition in the Illinois retail electric market can be found on the Illinois Commerce Commission's website at: http://www.pluginillinois.org/.

Constellation Energy is a leading competitive supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States.

^{*Ameren's and ComEd's rates are subject to change and, therefore, we cannot guarantee savings over the full term of our price plans. Constellation's prices do not include any taxes, utility distribution charges or other utility fees, charges or credits. In Ameren's service territory, estimated savings are based on Ameren's current BGS residential (non-electric space heating) rate of 6.685 cents per kWh in effect Oct. 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012 for Ameren Rate Zone I. Actual savings will depend on the Ameren rate zone in which customer resides, as shown on customer's Ameren invoice. Customers on Ameren's BGS residential (electric space heating) rate will not save. In ComEd's service territory, estimated savings are based on ComEd current Price to Compare (PTC) for BES residential (non-electric space heating) rate of 7.751 cents per kWh in effect Oct. 1, 2011 - May 31, 2012, which includes an Electricity Supply Charge of 6.986 cents and a Transmission Services Charge of 0.765 cents. ComEd also invoices its customers for Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA), which may be a charge or a credit, and is not included in ComEd's PTC. Customers on ComEd's BES residential (electric space heating) rate will not save. For additional information on our price comparison, visit www.constellation.com.}