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Clarendon Hills officials advise caution with electric providers
Updated: October 28, 2012 6:11AM
CLARENDON HILLS — Clarendon Hills officials are warning residents to be careful about solicitations from electric supply providers.
While individuals and businesses can select their own suppliers of electricity, some residents have said they have received solicitations from persons claiming to be associated with the village and a Nov. 6 referendum seeking voter approval for electrical aggregation.
Municipal electric aggregation allows a municipality to contract directly with an energy supplier for a supply rate that is lower than what ComEd currently offers.
If approved, the referendum would give the village authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for residential and small commercial customers who do not opt out of the program.
Residents also have the opportunity to purchase electric supply individually, and continue to receive calls from suppliers offering them additional incentives for switching providers now.
“We just want everyone to know that if a supplier says they are involved with the village in the referendum in any way, that isn’t true,” said Christian Burns, assistant to the village manager. “The whole process of electrical aggregation is very complicated, and it can be very difficult for residents when they’re hearing different things from different people.”
If voters approve the referendum, Burns said she expects the rate negotiated for the village to be cheaper than what could be acquired by an individual. In addition, someone signing up now with an electric supply provider may incur fees if they later decide to be included in a village electric aggregation.
ComEd continues to handle billing and deliver electricity to customers in towns that have electrical aggregation.
Estimates for Clarendon Hills residents and most businesses are for a savings of 30 to 40 percent in electric bills over the first few years. Lesser savings are likely beyond that period, Christina Burns said.
We’re getting as much information as we can so that we have a lot of the work done and are ready to go if the referendum passes.”
If the referendum passes, the switch to a new provider of electricity likely would happen within the first few months of 2013, Burns said.
