Time Extended to Sign Up for Cheaper Electric

The city of Joliet's electric rate reduction offer has been extended until Jan. 31, offering anyone who failed to take advantage a second chance to save an average 33 percent on their electric bills.

Joliet partnered with the Will County Governmental League to negotiate a discounted kilowatt rate by buying purchasing electricity in bulk through FirstEnergy Solutions. However, participants must "opt in" by accepting the offer by mail, phone or online in order to receive the savings.

Residents and eligible small businesses were sent a letter in late December explaining the electric aggregation program and providing a form that was to be filled out and completed by Jan. 15. Under the extension, it can now be returned by Jan. 31, a city press release said Tuesday.

Applicants can also call 877-635-0494 or go online at www.fes.com/joliet to enroll by the same date. The applicant's ComEd account number is required for the latter two options.

The deal keeps rates locked in for two years. However, the fee to leave early and return to ComEd or a different electricity supplier is only $25.

ComEd will continue to to do the billing and will handle all service and outage calls, regardless of the electric provider. There will be no interruption in service, and the only change will be the name of the electric provider listed on the bill mailed by ComEd, city officials said.

The Will County Governmental League negotiated the lower rate on behalf of 21 communities, many of which received approval to implement the lower rate on their residents' behalf via a ballot referendum approved last year.

To see a copy of the letter sent by FirstEnergy Solutions on the city's behalf, go to www.cityofjoliet.info.

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