Industrial Council of Nearwest C

You have probably seen or heard the recent ComEd commercials on television and radio. ComEd rates have been "frozen" for almost a decade, and businesses will start to pay market-based rates in January 2007, under a new ComEd tariff. Obviously, customers paying rates at levels set nine years ago will experience significant cost increases starting in 2007!

Under the new tariff, ComEd will no longer generate or purchase electricity to serve its customers. They will only move power through their distribution system. Regulated customers will purchase electricity from suppliers who "win" the ComEd-sponsored "reverse" auctions, which will take place on September 5, 2006.

The same reverse auction processes have recently been held in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. These auctions all yielded price increases of 50% or more from the previous regulated power rates for commercial and industrial customers. These results do no bode well for business owners using the ComEd system.

But there is a way that you can protect your company against these estimated significant rate increases! Many businesses are opting to bypass the ComEd reverse auction process, and directly contact energy suppliers to "fix" their prices for electricity starting in 2007. Many are using energy consultants, such are ICNC member Energy Purchasing Services, Inc., for assistance through this process. Feel free to call Sandee Whited for more information at 630/696-2392 or attend her free seminar at ICNC:

FREE Electrical Rate Seminar

Wednesday, August 16th, 2006

Fulton-Carroll Center

2010 W. Fulton St.

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

rsvp to: lori@industrialcouncil.com or 312-421-3941