New Lenox trustees this week voted to place a referendum question on the April 5 ballot asking voters if the village should have the authority to select a new electricity supplier for residents.
If approved by voters, the village would be able to select a power supplier other than ComEd and possibly help reduce power bills.
Public Works Director Ron Sly said the initiative is being pursued in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Cooperative of Prospect Heights.
A NIMEC program has already saved the village $4,000, or 15 percent, on street lighting costs.
NIMEC Director David Hoover said state law allows customers to choose from one of 23 different power suppliers for reduced costs. However, only 500 customers in the state have done this.
Therefore, to encourage it, new state rules allow for entire municipalities to coordinate energy supply contracts.
Localities such as Crest Hill and Darien are also slated to hold April referendums on the question and about 15 others, including Orland Park and Morris have also expressed an interest.
Power would still be delivered and billed by ComEd and Exelon. If a new supplier were selected, a line item on ComEd bills would note that, Hoover said.
The referendum allows the Village Board to select a vendor that could offer lower rates for local customers.
Mayor Tim Baldermann said he doesn’t believe residents should have to fill out paperwork for the change and was worried some may be confused or have questions.
However, he said the move could be successful if it saves money on power bills for local residents and businesses.
“Anytime you can give the residents an opportunity to have a say you want to do that,” Baldermann said. “Why would we not let the residents have their say? What if other communities do this and we find out they are getting their power cheaper?”
Trustee Annette Bowden said the referendum is a “win win situation” if it can reduce power bills.
Should NIMEC be unable to obtain lower rates through competitive billing, then no contracts would be inked and nothing would change.
Customers have the ability to opt out of the program if they choose to.
