Politics & Government
Get Informed on Electric Aggregation Referendum
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce, village of Algonquin and village of Lake in the Hills provide information on the electric aggregation referendum.
On March 20, 2012 Algonquin and Lake in the Hills residents will vote on a referendum for their Village to pursue an opt-out electric aggregation program.
For those that do not reside in Algonquin or Lake in the Hills please be sure to visit your municipalities website to see if they are participating.
What is an "opt-out" electric aggregation program?
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Electric aggregation is a process that allows governments to pool, or aggregate, the electric usage needs of residents and small businesses.
Local governments are then able to seek lower pricing through a competitive bid process.
Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Opt-out programs generally have high participation rates and thereby greater bargaining power than individuals have to negotiate lower electric rates from Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers (ARES).
Eligible residents and small businesses are included in the program and permitted to opt-out, if they choose not to participate. The process is being modeled after successful programs in other states that have over 10-years experience with Governmental Aggregation programs.
The Referendum question will ask: Shall the Village 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?
What Does This Mean To Residents and Small Business Owners?
If the referendum is approved, the Villages of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills would work with a consortium of twelve other municipalities and McHenry County that acts on behalf of the residents and business owners to purchase their electric supply in bulk in hopes of obtaining a better electricity rate.
According to data provided by the Illinois Commerce Commission, communities that have implemented an electric aggregation program have saved more than 20 percent in electric supply costs based on current rates. With that said, there is no guarantee that the rates will be lower.
For more information on your Village opt-out electric aggregation program, please visit the following:
Source: Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce
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