Pop Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Electrical Aggregation?

In December, With a decision to put electrical aggregation on the ballot, voters will determine if bundling's electrical supply is the best move for the city.

City administrators want voters to head to the polls educated and informed, and will do their part to help. The city will host an informational meeting on the topic, for residents and small business owners at , March 5 at 7 p.m.

"As a result of deregulation of the electric market, we may be able to help lower residents' energy rates by pooling together the electric load of all residents and seeking bids for lower electric rates from suppliers other than Commonwealth Edison," said Public Works Director Troy Ishler. "But, residents must approve a referendum on the March 20 election ballot in order to begin the process."

The referendum on the March 20 ballot reads as follows:

Should the City of Oak Forest have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program.

All electricity will continue to be delivered by ComEd, regardless of the supplier.
If the referendum on aggregation is passed, residents can still opt out.

On the other hand, if the referendum is not passed, Ishler said at the December meeting, the city should still educate the public on an “opt-in program,” which gives residents the chance to opt-in to a plan with a different electric supply company.

Sharon Durling, director of marketing for the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC), will facilitate the meeting and provide an overview of the deregulation and municipal aggregation processes. She also will allow time for questions from the audience. Those in attendance are encouraged to bring a copy of their electric bills—for their information only—to the meeting to get a better understanding of how much they could save through electrical aggregation.

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For more information about the public meeting, please contact Public Works Director Troy Ishler at 708-687-4050 or tishler@oak-forest.org.