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The Chillicothe City Council is taking a “baby step” in potentially assisting residents in saving money on their electric bills.
Judicial chairman Danny Colwell told the council he just recently received the information on electrical aggregation, which allows municipalities to bundle residences together and seek a cheaper price for electricity.
The judicial committee had not had a chance to discuss the topic prior to the council meeting, Colwell said.
Without another council meeting in December, the aldermen needed to approve a resolution in order for the referendum to be on the spring ballot due to a Jan. 3 filing date.
At that time, residents will be able to choose if they want electrical aggregation.
Colwell stressed there is not a commitment to any electric supplier, and the city is just beginning the process.
If approved, the city could group with other cities to offer more bargaining power for a cheaper supply of electricity, Colwell said.
Currently, residents can individually choose a supplier for their electricity due to the deregulation of electricity. At this point, however, residents cannot group together to make a “larger bargaining chip.”
“And at this point, it’s as simple as it just lays the groundwork that that ability is possible,” said Colwell.
Mayor Troy Childers Sr. asked if the city should host a public forum on the topic.
“I think that before the election, you probably do want to do some sort of public forum to explain and to answer questions because people are going to have questions about it,” said City Attorney Michael Seghetti.
Peoria County recently approved a resolution as well, Colwell said. Other communities also have signed on, including Peoria, East Peoria, Washington, Morton, Pekin, Tazewell County and more.
Colwell said as owner of the Chilli Bowl, he has the bowling alley with a separate electricity supplier through the Bowling Proprietors of America, saving him money. The city, library and other businesses also are doing the same
sort of thing.
Exact details of how the process will work is unknown yet, Colwell said.
Some communities, like Washington and Morton, already have entered into an agreement with a specific energy broker.
In order to acquire a specific price for electricity, Chillicothe at some point will use a broker, Colwell said, if the referendum passes.
The Chillicothe City Council is taking a “baby step” in potentially assisting residents in saving money on their electric bills.
Judicial chairman Danny Colwell told the council he just recently received the information on electrical aggregation, which allows municipalities to bundle residences together and seek a cheaper price for electricity.
The judicial committee had not had a chance to discuss the topic prior to the council meeting, Colwell said.
Without another council meeting in December, the aldermen needed to approve a resolution in order for the referendum to be on the spring ballot due to a Jan. 3 filing date.
At that time, residents will be able to choose if they want electrical aggregation.
Colwell stressed there is not a commitment to any electric supplier, and the city is just beginning the process.
If approved, the city could group with other cities to offer more bargaining power for a cheaper supply of electricity, Colwell said.
Currently, residents can individually choose a supplier for their electricity due to the deregulation of electricity. At this point, however, residents cannot group together to make a “larger bargaining chip.”
“And at this point, it’s as simple as it just lays the groundwork that that ability is possible,” said Colwell.
Mayor Troy Childers Sr. asked if the city should host a public forum on the topic.
“I think that before the election, you probably do want to do some sort of public forum to explain and to answer questions because people are going to have questions about it,” said City Attorney Michael Seghetti.
Peoria County recently approved a resolution as well, Colwell said. Other communities also have signed on, including Peoria, East Peoria, Washington, Morton, Pekin, Tazewell County and more.
Colwell said as owner of the Chilli Bowl, he has the bowling alley with a separate electricity supplier through the Bowling Proprietors of America, saving him money. The city, library and other businesses also are doing the same
sort of thing.
Exact details of how the process will work is unknown yet, Colwell said.
Some communities, like Washington and Morton, already have entered into an agreement with a specific energy broker.
In order to acquire a specific price for electricity, Chillicothe at some point will use a broker, Colwell said, if the referendum passes.
