Cooperative Energy Purchases Benefit Area Businesses – and now Homeowners!

Whether buying copier paper or advertising space, most businesses understand that bulk purchasing equals cost savings. The same principle applies to the mass purchase of energy, although few understand the intricacies of buying electrical kilowatts in bulk. Through our Cooperative Energy Buying Program, the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry helps businesses understand the process of purchasing power on the open market and provides a means for area businesses to reap the benefits of buying in bulk.

Before Illinois deregulated electrical companies in January 2007, one company supplied and delivered electricity. Deregulation now permits consumers to choose the company that supplies their electricity from a competitive field. The transmission and distribution functions continue to be provided by the local electric utility – Ameren Illinois.

However, few consumers have the time, skill, or patience needed to exercise this newfound freedom – or the "buying muscle" to command the lowest prices. Through the aid and expertise of energy consultant Richard "Dick" Anderson of CQI Associates, Central Illinois Chamber members can take advantage of bulk purchasing, while leaving the headache of researching the best prices and providers to the professional. CQI Associates is an industry leader that helps thousands of businesses across the country purchase power each year. They have handled the local Chamber's energy purchasing since 2007.

Benefits of the Chamber's Cooperative Energy Buying Program:

• Low, fixed rate on your monthly electric bill – guaranteed not to change during your contract
• Individual businesses receive the benefit of group buying power
• Customer service assistance takes the headache out of billing errors and other service issues.
• Experienced energy professionals to handle the details

Residential Service Now Available!

Residential Customers can enroll their home electric accounts in the program. Chamber members can offer this cost-saving program to their employees as a value added benefit of their Chamber membership. There is NO application fee through the on-line enrollment process.

All customers need to enroll is their latest residential electric bill. Please designate the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry during the enrollment process to obtain the contract rate we have secured for residential customers. A convenient Energy Calculator will also provide an estimate of monthly cost savings through the Chamber residential program.

Complete the Residential Enrollment!

(This program is not available to customers of municipal or rural electric cooperatives.) If you have any difficulties with the on-line application process or have questions, contact Brian McLemore at CQI Associates at 217-855-8417 or email brian@cqiassociates.com.

Residential Energy Program – Frequently Asked Questions

Commercial Customers – Electricity Savings

The Chamber's Cooperative Energy Buying Program pools the purchasing power of regional businesses, allowing members to stabilize their electric rates. By purchasing energy in advance at a set rate, our members can remove the uncertainty of fluctuating power costs and added predictability to their budget projections. Members can also participate in natural gas savings through the Chamber program.

Our members have reported savings of up to 14% compared to the utility default rates. The average annual savings is typically equal to one month's utility bill per year.

Your local utility (Ameren) continues to distribute power to your business, maintains the lines and reads your meter. In case of an outage, they will handle the situation. You will continue to receive one bill from your utility, which will include the new third party supply charges.

The $150 application fee for both services is per business location. Call the Chamber Office at 217-342-4147 or email us at chamber@effinghamchamber.org, or Brian McLemore at CQI Associates at 217-855-8417 or brian@cqiassociates.com and ask for a Letter of Authorization to be emailed to you.

Participation in the program REQUIRES continuous membership in the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the full term of the agreement. Submission of the application for participation in the coop, does not include fees for membership in the Chamber.

(This program is not available to customers of municipal or rural electric cooperatives.)

Commercial Energy Co-op Application (PDF, 165 KB)

Commercial Energy Program – Frequently Asked Questions

What do current Chamber Co-Op participants have to say?

Opportunity, Price Stability, Credibility