Manhattan mulls plan to cut electricity costs

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Updated: February 23, 2012 8:07AM

MANHATTAN — Using group purchasing power, the village of Manhattan may join neighboring cities that have reduced residents’ electricity costs.

The village board selected NIMEC on Tuesday, a broker that gathers bids from companies that supply electricity. This is in response to recent state deregulation allowing municipalities to band together to purchase larger quantities at lower prices.

Voters will make the final decision about electric aggregation March 20.

Currently, most residents receive both supply and distribution of their electricity through ComEd. The aggregation applies only to the supply portion. ComEd will continue distribution and invoicing if the village votes to aggregate.

Payment plans and any arrangements individuals have with ComEd will not be affected. Also, ComEd will continue to be the main contact for questions and problems such as outages.

“All the residents can save some amount by going through this aggregation with the village,” said administrator Marian Gibson. “There really are no downsides to it.”

Residents from New Lenox and Crest Hill who joined electric aggregation last summer said they received a 25 percent reduction on the supply portion of their bills.

In the event that voters approve to aggregate electricity, enrollment will be automatic. Residents will be able to opt out if they choose.

Before selecting NIMEC, the board considered other partners. The village opted not to work through the Will County Governmental League because it required an intergovernmental agreement, said Mayor William Borgo.