More discussion on the Aggregate versus Ameren power decision for City of Vandalia residents

We hear more and present more information today on the Aggregate versus Ameren power decision for City of Vandalia residents.

Speaking to the Vandalia City Council on Monday night, Steve Bryant with Good Energy says that Homefield hears the complaints on higher bills at times.  But, he does add there are some factors from Ameren beyond the cost of the electricity they cannot control.

Bryant added they work to lock in a low rate that will be good for a long period of time—meaning it may not always be lower than Ameren’s rate for any particular time but over the past 12 years he says they have saved Vandalia residents a total of $1.5 million.  Bryant says they will be out bidding on electric rates later this year and he and Mayor Doug Knebel discussed what that process will look like.

Steve Stombaugh of Vandalia presented information to the Vandalia City Council breaking down the billing difference between Homefield and Ameren during 2025.  Stombaugh says for the first 5 months of the year, Ameren was cheaper than Homefield.  He says Ameren then switched to their summer rates on June 1st and that will run until September 30th.  And, during those 4 months, Homefield will have a slightly lower rate.  Stombaugh says normally Ameren will then usually switch back to the rate they had for the first 5 months of the year and that would mean they would be cheaper than Homefield during the fall months of this year.  Homefield will have the same rate all the way through the end of the year.  Stombaugh says by his figures you would save money over the course of this year by opting out and going with Ameren.  But, he says he understands it’s not an easy decision.

The review would be that Homefield works to get as low as a rate as they can and it is over a long haul period of time–sometimes the same rate for as much as 2 years as they have only changed rates 8 times in the past 12 years.  Ameren will have more frequent rate changes during the course of the year and have had 30 rate changes over these past 12 years.  Just a reminder, the letter you receive is to “Opt Out” of Homefield.  So, if you want to go with Ameren you need to Opt Out.