Several communities voted last month to go with electrical aggregation, but the company that will be brokering deals for the best rates for many of these communities, Affordable Gas & Electric recommends bids be delayed for acceptance.  Bids were received from Integrys, Constellation and Homefield Energy, formerly Ameren Energy Marketing, a division of Ameren.  The bids were due April 16^th, with an anticipated acceptance of a winning supplier on April 21^st and new lower rates being implemented within 30-45 days after choosing a winning supplier.  However, due to recent unfavorable market conditions, AG & E recommended to its communities that it not accept any of the bids, but rather wait until an announcement from Ameren comes in early May showing the extent of an anticipated rate increase from the utility company.  Due to the harsh winter, the market is volatile at this time, and it might be better to wait and see what rates are by the beginning of June.  Voters in Addieville, Irvington, Richview and Wamac passed electricity aggregation referendums during March 18^th’s primary election.  Passage of the referendum allowed those communities to be pooled together and collectively shopped for lower electricity rates.  For more information, visit www.AffordableElectricRates.com.