Power Up: City Schedules Public Hearings on Electrical Aggregation

is preparing to take the next steps toward electrical aggregation, starting with two public hearings slated for April 24 and May 8 at 7 p.m. at  

Voters OKed the  March 20, and some residents might be wondering what happens now.

Can they opt out? When does it kick in? What will the new rates be? You have questions, and the city offered some answers. 

Residents , which only needed 51 percent of the vote to pass. Aggregation could save the city as much as $2.2 million, according to energy consultant Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC).

More information will be available at each public hearing, but here are some basics. 

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

• The city will hold at least two public hearings to discuss and create an aggregation plan. Once the plan is in place, city officials and representatives from the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) — an electric purchasing agent — will prepare and publicize a request for proposals.

THEN WHAT?

• Energy suppliers certified and regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission can respond to the request with their rates and offerings. If they don't meet the requirements, they won't be considered. 

AND THEN?

• The bid that comes closest to achieving the goals of the aggregation plan will be accepted.

...AND IF THE PROPOSED RATES ARE THE SAME AS THE CURRENT ONE?

• If none of the bids meet the plan's goals, there is no obligation to accept one, and the aggregated accounts will continue to receive power from ComEd at the prevailing rates.

Want more answers? For additional information, check out some of Patch's ongoing coverage of electrical aggregation.