Thinking of opting out? Read this first.

PEORIA -- Perplexed over whether to opt out from the new municipal electricity supply plan? Here's how to find out whether it will save you money.The opt-out deadline is June 1.  If you're eligible for the plan you should have received an opt-out letter by now.

Chris Setti, Peoria's Special Projects Manager said in a email that "the negotiated price is $0.0408/kWh, well below the standard rate."  That's 4 cents plus, per kilowatt hour.

If you want the hassle of checking on the web, here's how, But stay tuned, as there's a faster way I discovered, below.

Setti wrote:  "Ameren has a nifty "price-to-compare" function that shows you the average price per kWh you are likely to pay on the standard rate (this is a blended average of your summer, non-summer and excessive use rates over a 12 month period).  The process to find it is pretty convoluted, but here is how to do it:

1. Go to www.ameren.com
2. On the left side, login to your account (if you don't have an online account, you can register for one pretty easily).
3. On the left side of the next screen, under "Customer Service Center" you will see and option (under "My Bills and Payments") called "My Account Details."  Click this.
4. A new window will pop up.  In the top right corner of this window, click on "Usage History."
5. Specific information about your account will now be visible.  Near the middle of the window, you will see a link that says "Show More Detail." Click this.
6. The window changes to show some expanded information.  One of the items now visible is the "Comparison Price."  If that number is greater than $0.0408/kWh, you are better off sticking with the program.  If, for some reason, your number is lower than $0.0408, then you should opt-out.  My number was $0.056439/kWh, so I'm going to join the program (by doing nothing)."

However:  if this is too much hassle, just call the Ameren 800 number: 1-800-755-5000.  Hit 'operator' then ask for the 'Comparison Price.'  You'll get it in seconds. 

I did it, and found my Peoria rate to be more than 5 cents per KWH -- so I'm happy to save money by staying in the new plan.

 -- Elaine Hopkins