The main difference between Power Smart Pricing and your utility’s standard residential rate, (Utility Basic Generation Service, or BGS) is how the cost of electricity supply is calculated.

Utility Basic Generation Service

With the standard residential rate (Utility Basic Generation Service, or BGS), you pay a set price for your electricity supply. This price varies by season, and is adjusted periodically, but it does not change from hour to hour or from day to day. You pay the same price for electricity no matter what time of day or day you use it. For the current electric supply prices for the Ameren Illinois Utilities, go to www.ameren.com.

Power Smart Pricing

With Power Smart Pricing, the price of the electricity varies from hour to hour based on wholesale market prices. So the price you pay for electricity depends on the time of day when you use it. Your bill will show the total cost for the electricity used, calculated using the hourly market prices and your corresponding hourly usage. The Ameren Illinois Utilities do not mark up the price of power; you simply pay the market price.

The program uses “day-ahead” prices, meaning the hourly prices for each day are set the evening in advance. Each evening, price information for the following day is available online and by phone.

Regardless of your electric supply choice (Power Smart Pricing, or Utility Basic Generation Service), all customers are required to pay Delivery Service charges. These charges are for your utility to maintain the poles, wires, and services required to deliver electricity to your home, and are shown separately on your electric bill.

Participating in Power Smart Pricing does not change the amount of the Illinois General Assembly rate relief rebates that program participants are eligible to receive.

For more details on the specific line items that appear on customers’ electric bills, see Understanding Your Bill.