Natural Gas Buying Group Informational Meeting

Expanding on its electricity buying group benefit, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with AGE (Affordable Gas & Electric, LLC) to administer its newly-formatted natural gas buying group.

The launch of the program will be introduced during a Natural Gas Market Update meeting on Wednesday, January 20 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Effingham Knights of Columbus Building. The complimentary event is open to Chamber members and area businesses interested in learning more about the program. AGE and Constellation will provide the brief market update and details on the procurement process.

Norma Lansing, Chamber President & CEO said, “Natural gas prices are at 14-year lows and we feel this new partnership provides a great opportunity for our members to understand what their options are for taking advantage of today’s market prices.”

Beginning with this winter’s enrollment period, Effingham County Chamber members will be able to join a Natural Gas Buying Group that is collectively one of the largest natural gas aggregates in Southern Illinois. Program Coordinator AGE currently represents 14 chambers of commerce throughout Southern Illinois including Mt. Vernon, Marion and Carbondale. Effingham Chamber members will be joining the bulk purchasing power of this existing group.

Natural gas is currently provided to most commercial customers through Ameren’s delivery lines at Ameren’s default regulated rates. Somewhat similar to electricity, natural gas can be purchased on the competitive market and continue to be delivered through Ameren’s distribution lines. However, notification of a switch from Ameren to a competitive natural gas supplier is allowed only one time per year, so the January 20 meeting will give businesses an opportunity to learn how they can start saving during the 2016 enrollment period.

AGE is owned by former Effingham resident Jeff Haarmann. Haarmann, who now resides in Mt. Vernon, still has ties to the Effingham area.

“I am very excited to be partnering with the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce to enhance this important member benefit. We already have a large customer base of electricity and natural gas customers in Effingham and this partnership with the Chamber allows for even broader participation in our large natural gas pool.”

For more information and to register for the January 20 Natural Gas Market Update, please contact the Chamber at 217-342-4147. Registration is also available online at www.effinghamcountychamber.com.