This month, all Evanston residential and small business customers, who are currently in the city’s electricity aggregation program, received an energy disclosure statement from Constellation Energy. Customers may be wondering why this information was distributed to them.  The energy disclosure statement is required to be sent to customers each quarter by the Illinois laws that govern electricity service in Illinois (Section 16-127 of the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997 and the rules of the Illinois Commerce Commission).

The sources of electricity supply listed on the disclosure statement are based on the average system mix of PJM.  PJM is the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity from where the power is pooled for both ComEd and the participants of Evanston’s aggregation program. These disclosures reflect the mix of electricity supply in that pool for the required reporting period which is available on the PJM website. The electricity supply mix disclosed would reasonably depict the mix of electricity consumed by any resident or small business receiving basic electric service with the utility.

Evanston customers should be aware that this disclosure statement is generic and does not reflect the 100% renewable energy mix that has been secured for the city’s electricity aggregation program. Under the city’s aggregation program, Evanston customers are receiving a 100% renewable energy mix through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).  The members of Evanston’s aggregation program first receive power from the grid, which is comprised of the energy mix described in the disclosure statement.  Constellation then purchases RECs and assigns them to Evanston in an amount equal to the electricity consumed by the members of the program. These REC’s are purchased from an Illinois or adjoining state wind asset and are compliant with the standards established by the State of Illinois for renewable energy. 

The generic disclosure statement is sent to all new customers of Constellation and is currently required by the State to be sent on a quarterly basis. Constellation will provide members of Evanston’s aggregation program with an environment disclosure statement reflecting the power source of the city’s program (100% wind) for the next reporting period, which is anticipated to be sent out at the end of December 2012 and should be received in early January 2013.

The sale of renewable energy and renewable energy certificates from Constellation is audited by the state on an annual basis. This audit process ensures that enough renewable energy is purchased to match the consumption of our participating customers. This audit is completed by June 30 of each year for the previous calendar year. At that time, Constellation will provide the city with a report showing compliance with the city’s contract.

Questions for Constellation Energy can be directed to their Customer Care Center at 1-800-718-1493. Individuals wishing to opt-into the program can do so by calling Constellation Energy at 1-800-718-1493. Other questions or comments about the city’s program can be directed to 3-1-1.