City Gets Green Light to Shop for Power
Sixty-six percent of Elmhurst voters say yes to electrical aggregation.
Elmhurst residents favored a proposal to allow the city to shop for electrical power on their behalf, by a margin of 5,300 to 2,767.
Approval of the March 20 referendum means the city will be able to negotiate for electrical power with suppliers on behalf of residential customers and small retail customers, without asking each customer individually. Group buying is expected to result in lower electrical bills for consumers, although there is no guarantee.
According to the city's explanation of the proposal on its website, residential and small commercial customers will still be able to opt out of the new arrangement. Two public hearings will be held before an aggregation plan is adopted. The city estimates it could have a program in place by late summer or early fall.
ComEd would continue to distribute power along its grid, sending out bills to customers and responding to outages.
A change in state law in 2009 allows for municipal electrical aggregation. According to Crain's Chicago Business, more than 200 communities in Northern Illinois had the question on the March 20 ballot.
Barbara Lonergan
9:23 am on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
While price is the prime motivator in electric aggregation, residents have an opportunity to vocalize their desire for higher quality electricity. Instead of the dirty “brown” energy or coal-fired power, Elmhurst can transition to clean, safe “green” energy, like solar and wind. Renewable energy benefits the environment, offers greater long-term price stability, and offers greater economic development and job creation within Illinois. Yesterday's vote was the first step. Now residents must speak up and voice their desire for clean energy during upcoming public meetings.
Joe O'Malley
5:35 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Good, How about a wind farm on your front lawn. Make sure you point it in the direction of local pols and their podiums.
Jim Court
12:53 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012
High winds are generated along the Tollway, how about there. I might be full enough of hot air myself, Joe you could point them at me. Just never call me a politician.
I am not smooth enough although I wish I was at times.