Plainfield considers bidding on cheaper electricity

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Updated: June 30, 2011 12:37PM

PLAINFIELD — Could the village have a new energy supplier in the future?

This was the question presented to the Plainfield Village Board during Monday’s committee of the whole workshop as a representative of Progressive Energy Group discussed the municipal aggregation program.

The program is an Illinois Commerce Commission-approved option that allows residential and small commercial customers to aggregate their electrical usage to save money. Basically, the program allows municipalities to bid for electric supply in the same way they might seek contracts for cable TV service and trash removal.

The program requires approval from voters through a referendum.

Currently, there are 19 communities considering or proceeding with municipal aggregation, including Crest Hill, Morris, Oak Brook, New Lenox and North Aurora. Residents can opt out of the program.

While ComEd makes money on delivery service charges, the only thing that changes is that energy supply comes from a different company, not ComEd.

A representative of Progressive Energy Group said ComEd does not produce any power nor does it earn on power it sells.

ComEd’s parent company, Exelon, does produce power.

If Plainfield opts for municipal aggregation, ComEd would continue to bill customers.

Trustee Bill Lamb asked how the program would impact residents in unincorporated areas of Plainfield. Will County or Plainfield Township would have to approve its own referendum for the program to move forward.

“I try to avoid a rush to judgment,” Trustee Jim Racich said.

He asked Traci Pleckham, director of management services, and Village Administrator Brian Murphy to explore municipal aggregation further before a future presentation to the village board.