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Elmwood Park again tries for electric aggregation
ComEd's David Geraghty, electric supplier service manager, talks about an electric aggregation program during a meeting Thursday at the Elmwood Park Parks and Recreation Center. | Jeff Krage~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 2, 2012 6:14AM
ELMWOOD PARK — Village officials want another opportunity to pass a referendum on electrical aggregation.
The referendum, which appears on the November ballot, asks if the village should have the authority to negotiate for the lowest possible rates for electricity on behalf of homeowners and small businesses. The same referendum was put on the March ballot, but failed.
Village officials want to try for passage again and held a town hall meeting Oct. 25 in the gym at the Elmwood Park Recreation Department over the matter.
David Geraghty, manager of electric supplier services at ComEd, discussed the electric aggregation process, taking questions from the audience of about 75 residents. Sharon Durling of Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative, an electric purchasing collaborative of 140 municipal and other government entities, also spoke.
Elmwood Park Village President Peter Silvestri believes there is strength in numbers and the village could get lower electricity rates if it negotiates as a municipality.
“We’re giving the people the opportunity to save money,” he said. “If they don’t, then vote no.”
If the referendum passes, the village would seek bids and choose an electric supplier, entering into a contract with the company on behalf of residents. The village would have to hold two public hearings on the issue prior to going out for bids.
Residents can seek out their own electricity supplier and opt out of any village contract. Mary Ann Nuccio, who has lived in Elmwood Park for 30 years and attended the Oct. 25 meeting, said she has found her own supplier and is happy with her choice.
“I don’t agree with the fact that the village would have control over it,” she said. “I feel comfortable with Nicor Electric.”
