Next Move Toward Electricity Aggregation Happens Tuesday at Elmhurst Committee Meeting

Elmhurst enters the power market Tuesday on behalf of resident and small-business users in an attempt to find lower electricity rates than those currently offered by ComEd. In doing so, the city will also send a message to power generators that residents want their energy to be as green as possible.

The Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services Committee is leading the charge on electricity aggregation, and they will meet Tuesday, May 22, to gather bids from alternate power providers. Monday night, committee member and 4th Ward Alderman Kevin York told the City Council that citywide savings on electricity might top $5.5 million annually, equal to half of the $11 million the city collects in property taxes.

The average resident rate could drop as much as 46 percent, with residents potentially saving $35 per month or $421 per year, York said.

While the electricity market fluctuates daily, the city's consultant is reporting that aggregated rates are averaging 4.6 cents per kilowatt hour. ComEd is projecting its rates will be up to 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour as of June.

As for any savings residents might be able to find on their own, York said he visited www.power2switch.com and found a rate of 5 cents per kilowatt hour.

Committee members have been debating what percentage of green energy to require from power providers, and Monday other alderman weighed in on the committee's recommendation that 50 percent of the city's power come from renewable resources.

York told the council that the committee anticipates green energy will cost consumers about one-tenth of one percent, or $10 per year. York provided to Patch on Tuesday.

While many alderman pushed for requiring the use of 100 percent renewable energy, they stressed to residents that they would actually be purchasing credits toward the future development of renewable sources.

Of the committee members, York and 4th Ward Aldermen Stephen Hipskind advocated trying to obtain 100 percent of the city's power from renewables, and on Monday many other aldermen agreed.

“This is the only means of obtaining and supporting renewables right now," 3rd Ward Alderman Dannee Polomsky said.

Hipskind said the feedback he was receiving from residents tilted overwhelmingly to green sources.

The two other FCA members preferred a lower percentage. Fifth Ward Alderman Scott Levin told the council that the mandate he took from the referendum was to save money, and he was reluctant to impose any conditions that might impact savings. Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner reiterated that he was skeptical about the city going all out for green energy at this point.

Tonight, the committee will receive bids that include using zero, 25, 50 and 100 percent green energy, and the four committeemen pledged to review all information to look for the best deal.