In 2012, there were many referendums asking whether residents wanted to have their municipalities or McHenry County to buy electricity for them, rather than take the power directly from Commonwealth Edison.
The article
Electric Aggregation Referendum Results Decidedly Mixed
explains the election results.
Opposition seems to be based on two points.
The first is the general notion that government should not be involved in this marketplace.
But, since Samuel Insull spurred the creation of the Illinois Commerce Commission because a majority of seven members was cheaper to buy that a majority of the Illinois General Assembly, government has dictated the market.
That is, until competition was allowed through electric aggregation or by individuals cutting their deal with alternative suppliers.
The second objection I’ve heard is that local governments doing the aggregating will take a cut off the top. In short, they will impose a new tax.
The bulk buying group my Village of Lakewood joined does not allow that. It is the group that the Village of Algonquin joined after this spring’s passage of its electric aggregation referendum.
The Chicago Tribune told email readers that Com Ed is going to hike electricity rates by 38%.
Now, Com Ed is announcing at 38% electric rate increase.
Those of us in bulk buying arrangements will not see that rate hike.
= = = = =
More information about this bulk buying plan can be found below:
- Questions and Answers about Electric Aggregation Referendums
- 1% Opt-Out from Lakewood’s Bulk Electricity Buying Plan
- Bulk Buy of Electricity May Save Big Money for Residents of Cary, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Lakewood, Prairie Grove, Ringwood, Woodstock
- McHenry County Set to Join Villages to Buy Electricity
= = = = =
I heard on the radio after I wrote this that the hike will affect all suppliers that use Com Ed to deliver electricity.