Electricity & Natural Gas Rate Negotiations Begin For Marion Chamber Members

The Marion Chamber of Commerce and its exclusive program coordinator, Affordable Gas & Electric (AGE), announced they will begin negotiations for electricity and natural gas contract renewals for members who are part of the Southern Illinois Chamber of Commerce Bulk Electricity & Natural Gas Buying Group. 

Marion Chamber of Commerce members joined hundreds of business owners and their respective chambers throughout Southern Illinois to negotiate “bulk electricity and natural gas rates."

The announcement was made today during a Buying Group update provided to the Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting.  AGE’s Managing Partner, Jeff Haarmann, and Sr. Energy Consultant, Rob Wielt, provided a brief update on participation levels in the chamber’s program as well as a general outlook on electricity and natural gas prices.

Haarmann noted to the Board that negotiations have begun with multiple suppliers interesting in competing for the substantial electricity and natural gas load the combined buying group represents.  He added that we are taking steps now to position the buying group in the most favorable position possible and will be prepared to take out a position in the event of a favorable market dip.

Wielt added that communication has been sent to members who are already participating in the buying group but now is also the opportunity for members who have not yet joined the group, to do so.  Wielt said business owners who are under contract with other suppliers should seek to join the buying group now so they can be included in the negotiations.  Rates for new participants won’t begin until current contracts expire, but also expressed the idea that the group’s buying power has proven to deliver the lowest rates available to local business owners.

For more information about the Marion Chamber of Commerce’s Electricity and Natural Gas Buying Group and how your business, even if not currently a chamber member, can benefit,  call the Marion Chamber office, visit AGE's Web site or download the form here.