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La Grange closing in on electric bill savings
Electrical costs estimates
One year: Just over 5 cents per kilowatt hour
Two years: 6 cents per kilowatt hour
Three years: 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour
ComEd rate: 7.25 cents by June 2014
Source: Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network
Updated: April 29, 2013 2:17AM
LA GRANGE — A one-year contract likely will save residents the most on their electric bills, a consultant advised the Village Board.
Mark Pruitt, a consultant with the Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network, told the board Feb. 25 the cheapest rates from suppliers are at just over 5 cents per kilowatt hour for a one-year term.
The longer the contract’s terms, the higher the rate for a municipal aggregation program to compensate for future uncertainty in the highly volatile pricing system among independent suppliers competing with ComEd since deregulation.
Trustees agreed to designate the final decision to Village President Liz Asperger and Village Manager Bob Pilipiszyn as representatives of the board when bids from electrical suppliers are solicited and opened in mid-March.
Board members questioned whether they could participate in the bid selection process via a telephone hook-up, but Village Attorney Mark Burkland advised the board must first develop and approve an electronic attendance policy.
Some public bodies allow elected officials to provide input and vote by phone when they are unable to attend a meeting.
Burkland also advised against polling each trustee by phone or email once bids are received, which could constitute a violation of the Open Meetings Act.
The electrical aggregation program, approved by voters in November, could save the average household $380 per year, and lower rates could begin to take effect in April.
Residents may choose the minimum standard of renewable energy or opt for 100 percent green energy, which would cost an additional $12 to $24 per year.
