ELMHURST CHAMBER PARTNERSHIP OFFERS DISCOUNT ON ELECTRICAL USAGE FEES

ELMHURST, Ill., December 17, 2009—Starting on Friday, December 18, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry will partner with MidAmerican Energy and Energy Choices on an affinity program for small business members that will provide a discount of 7% compared to ComEd’s supply charge and transmission services cost.

“This partnership is a win-win,” said John R. Quigley, Elmhurst Chamber President and CEO since 1999, “with Chamber members getting to save more dollars on their utility bill and the Chamber generating new revenue through a registration fee.”

The affinity program partnership was approved at the Board of Directors meetings on October 13, as recommended by the Board’s Ways and Means Committee.

This affinity program, which runs annually through May, is designed for smaller-usage clients whose monthly electrical bills run from as low as $300.  For 2009-10, the 7% discount will typically save a participant the equivalent of one month’s billing.  New rates will be set for 2010-11, allowing members the freedom to reregister or drop out.
 
Members will pay the Chamber an annual registration fee of $50 (prorated at $20 for the end of 2009-10) to participate in the program.

Large-usage members, like the Elmhurst Park District, which saved $45,000 on electricity costs last year, can negotiate independent contracts through Energy Choices.

MidAmerican Energy is one of the largest suppliers of electricity to the ComEd business community.  They have been serving this market since 1999, the beginning of deregulated electric choice in Illinois.

MidAmerican Energy is part of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, an energy company with over 6 million customers and $12 Billion in annual operating revenues
MidAmerican will compensate Economic Energy at a rate of $0.0015 per kW/hr for its program marketing support.  This fee is embedded in the service and will not impact the 7% savings guaranteed by MidAmerican Energy’s Savings Program.

Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.

The Chamber also serves the needs of it members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.