From K.C.. Poulus, Village of Oak Park Sustainability Manager
Oak Park is holding public hearings July 18 and August 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall to obtain public input into the aggregation planning process. We encourage you all to attend, but if that is not possible, please consider taking the very quick (less than 5 minutes) survey: click on the survey tab. We want to hear about your level of interest in terms of cheapest rate verses cheaper rate and greener power, or the ability to have a choice. Residents and business owners are both encouraged to take the survey.
The purpose of the public hearings is to accept comments from citizens on the Village’s draft plan of operation and governance for its proposed municipal electric aggregation program, a plan that would bundle – or aggregate – residential and small commercial electric accounts and seek competitive bids from potential suppliers.
The overall goal of the Community Choice Electricity Aggregation Program is to seek a cheaper, and possibly cleaner, energy supply than is currently available through Exelon. A cleaner power source can include options such as eliminating coal-fired power plants and increasing the percentage of renewable energy such as wind and solar included in the power source mix.
Voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum in April supporting the electricity aggregation concept. Now, the Village is moving into the formal stages of the program, which includes developing a plan for managing the aggregation program and holding official public hearings as part of Village Board meetings. If the Village Board gives staff approval to proceed following the required hearings, bids will be sought from electricity providers who must demonstrate the ability to meet the criteria of the plan.
For more information about Community Choice Electricity Aggregation Program see the Village of Oak Park web site. A copy of the draft plan is posted on the village web site. The draft plan also is available for inspection during regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, at Village Hall. The Village is also conducting an online survey to better gauge community views on the aggregation concept. Public input will be accepted through August.
