CLINTON — The DeWitt County Board recently approved a program that offers some flexibility in electricity usage for county residents.  Residents in the unincorporated areas of the county will be part of the annual electricity auction, which could reduce their monthly bills.

Voters approved a referendum in November to participate in the electricity aggregation program. 

Electric aggregation allows Ameren customers in unincorporated areas of the county to participate in the annual electricity auction, which, in most cases, lowers the rates those customers pay for power.  Ameren would continue as the transmitter of power to those homes and as billing agent, but the winner of the auction would provide the actual electricity.

Ameren’s Clinton customers approved aggregation several years ago.  Their power currently is provided by Homefield Energy.

Jerod McMorris, representative for Good Energy, an electric brokerage and consulting firm, spoke to the county board before the November vote.  McMorris’ company handled the public education campaign.  The campaign cost the county nothing.  Good’s services are ultimately paid for by the winning bidder in the annual auction. 

Ameren customers who already have an electricity agreement with a third-party supplier would not be eligible.  Cornbelt Energy customers also are not eligible.

Eligible Ameren customers would be residential households or businesses using fewer than 15,000 kilowatts per year.  The average household uses between 8,000-11,000 kilowatts per year.