Politics & Government

Glen Ellyn Votes 2012: Electric Aggregation

Voters will be asked to vote for or against electric aggregation on the Nov. 6 ballot.

When Glen Ellyn voters head to the polls on Tuesday they will be asked to vote on a measure that would be the first step for the Village of Glen Ellyn to pursue electric aggregation.

More than 250 local governments around Illinois have proposed bringing aggregation to their communities. Aggregation allows communities to use the collective bargaining power of residents to negotiate for lower power prices from suppliers, according to the Citizens Utility Board

Illinois law allows municipalities and counties to purchase electricity on behalf of residents and small-business consumers, according to the Illinois Citizens Utility Board. Municipalities choosing aggregation negotiate the price of power from a supplier other than a traditional utility, but the utility company is still responsible for delivering that power to homes, and billing consumers for it. 

Find out what's happening in Glen Ellynwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Village of Glen Ellyn has held two public hearings on electric aggregation. 

If voters approve the ballot measure, the village would will approve a plan of governance and seek electric rate proposals from licensed as alternative suppliers in Illinois, according to the village.

Find out what's happening in Glen Ellynwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The referendum question will ask voters if the Village of Glen Ellyn should be given the authority to seek competitive pricing for the supply of electricity for residential and small business customers, the village said in its news release.

The question asks voters:

Shall the Village of Glen Ellyn have the authority
 to arrange for the supply of electricity
 for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program?

While residents still have to vote on the ballot question, the Village of Glen Ellyn wants to make residents aware that solicitors from one company have been canvassing the community saying they are an electric provider for the village.

The village has said in a news release that the company and its solicitors are not affiliated with the village’s aggregation program. It also warns residents against any company that asks residents to "sign-up," or make any advance payments. Such firms are not affiliated with the village.

Residents who wish to learn more about electric aggregation can find information on the Village of Glen Ellyn's website

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