Saturday, June 30, 2012
After the electrical aggregation was approved in March, residents are saving big with MC2 energy supplier.
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Saturday, June 30, 2012
City officials have accepted a bid from MC2 to supply electricity to the City that will reduce electricity supply costs by 52%. On March 20, 2012, Highwood residents approved a referendum authorizing the City to implement an Electric Aggregation Program. In an effort to maximize potential savings, Highwood avoided outside broker fees and collaborated with the Villages of Lindenhurst and Lake Villa to jointly bid. Under a contract between the City and MC2, all participating residential and small business customers will be able to purchase electricity through the program at a rate of 4.28 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate will become effective for all participating customers around mid to late August and is guaranteed for a period of 12 …
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Prizes for the 'Coolest Summer Ever' contest include tickets to Chicago sporting events, museums and theaters, unique animal encounters and a $5,000 donation to your favorite charity.
If you've got a knack for trivia, try your hand at Commonwealth Edison's (ComEd) 'Coolest Summer Ever' sweepstakes and enter to win a number of prizes to make your summer a little more interesting. During the 10-week contest that began Monday, participants can visit ComEd on Facebook and answer questions about Chicago and suburban destinations, energy conservation tips and other assorted trivia, according to a ComEd press release. A different prize will be awarded each of the ten weeks. They include a five-show theater package, White Sox scout seats and a chance to throw out the first pitch at a Cub's game. A private tour of the Adler Planetarium's Doane Observatory and a limo ride to Rockford to see the symphony are among the …
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Mayor Rotering describes how eight municipalities will get more affordable electricity starting this summer.
I just left a press conference at Skokie's Village Hall where we announced terrific developments concerning your electric bill. Thanks to an excellent negotiation team and the volume purchasing power of 60,000 to 70,000 residents and small businesses within the eight communities of the North Shore Electricity Aggregation Consortium, we will see our electricity rates drop by at least 41 percent starting this summer, a greater savings than we even anticipated. The current ComEd rate is 8.233 cents per kWh. New rates, set to begin in June or July, are locked in at 4.836 cents per kWh through May, 2013 for customers who choose to participate in the City's electrical pricing program. Rates will be renegotiated each year of our three-year …
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Law phases out incandescent bulbs, encourages energy efficient options.
Old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs are on their way to becoming obsolete. The first to go is the 100-watt, which is no longer being produced as of January. The next to go will be the 75-watt bulb in January 2013 followed by 60- and 40-watt bulbs in 2014. Want more ComEd news in your inbox? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter. The phase-out is a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, which was intended to make better use of resources and to help the U.S. become energy independent. Part of the law sets energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs. The law requires that by 2020 most light bulbs be 60 to 70 percent more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…
Thursday, April 5, 2012
City approved a plan to work with MC Squared for cost savings on March 23.
Last month, 75 percent of voters supported a referendum to permit the City to negotiate for the lowest possible electricity power price on behalf of residents and small businesses. On March 23, the City Council approved a plan to work with MC Squared Energy Services to contract for these cost savings. All electricity will still come via ComEd equipment, but the negotiation ensures the lowest possible price for that electricity. In a few weeks, you will receive a letter from the City explaining your options and providing directions. Making Your Decision If you are currently receiving the ComEd rate and wish to receive the City negotiated rate from MC Squared, you do not have to do anything. You will be automatically switched to MC Squared. …
City Councilman disappointed city will not be pursuing more "green" option for electricity.
Hats off to Councilman Paul Frank for "getting it" and joining us in voting for the 100 percent Green Power option at the March 23 City Council meeting. This option would have saved us $19 a month off current pricing on a average home while removing over 50 million pounds of emissions by using green power. Want Highland Park police news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter. On the good side staff did a great job getting individuals an option for green power at a reduced rate. Unfortunately, looking at past experience only about 3 percent of homeowners are expected to take advantage of this offer so we must all pass the word. Aggregation does work and was supported by over 75 percent of our voters. Reducing our costs…
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The city approved a new electrical vendor Friday.
Highland Park City Council approved a new electrical provider Friday evening during a special board meeting. Following March 20’s election results where 75 percent of voters approved an electrical aggregation, officials have selected the Chicago-based MCSquared to be a new energy supplier. In September 2011, Highland Park joined forces with Deerfield Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Skokie, Park Ridge, Northbrook and Glencoe to form a consortium to bargain with electric suppliers pending passage of the referendum. Earlier: City to Negotiate Cheaper Electricity Emily Palm, Assistant to the City Manager, hopes the program will be in place in June. "By getting the customers online sooner we’re hoping they're realizing the savings sooner, especially …
Thursday, March 22, 2012
City Council will meet Friday to officially authorize new program.
The City Council and I are constantly seeking ways to relieve the economic burdens faced by our residents and businesses. One way to achieve that goal is through collaboration. On Tuesday, by a referendum vote, 75 percent of Highland Park voters asked the City to work to obtain lower electricity rates for its residents and small businesses through an electricity aggregation consortium. This Friday, March 23, at 8 a.m. the City Council will meet at City Hall to officially authorize the North Shore Electricity Aggregation Consortium ("Consortium") program. Consortium Background Last September, the City agreed to join a group of neighboring municipalities that will work together to secure electricity rates that are lower than current ComEd …
Monday, March 19, 2012
Consortium of north suburbs will ask voters whether or not they should seek bids for an alternate electric supplier to ComEd.
Amid a slew of local races and the Republican primary, there’s one issue on the March 20 ballots that could impact every voter’s wallet: electrical aggregation. The municipalities of Northbrook, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Park Ridge and Skokie have formed a group called the North Shore Electricity Aggregation Consortium. Voters in each community are being asked if they want the consortium to act on their behalf by bundling electric accounts and seeking bids for electricity on the open market rather than continuing to buy power from Commonwealth Edison. Passed into law in 2009, the option of “electrical aggregation” allows villages to pool residential and small business accounts, combine forces with other…
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Utility could be required to pay claims to people.
A report from the Illinois attorney general's office holds ComEd's equipment neglect and the utility's failure to trim trees as the culprits for last summer's prolonged power outages, according to the Chicago Tribune. The report, filed last Thursday, said ComEd's infrastructure was outdated and carrying loads beyond designed capacity, the Tribune reports. The article adds that ComEd "has maintained that many storm-related outages cannot be prevented because they are caused by nature." According to the Tribune, ComEd could be required to pay claims to people if the Illinois Commerce Commission agrees with the attorney general's report. Local and state legislators grilled the utility at a hearing last August when they sought to uncover why …
David Greenberg
7:52 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
On it's face, MC2 looks like a good deal, and for the first year, it could be. However, the problem with MC2, is that it's a 3 yr lock-in contract for residents, and years 2 and 3 will have rate adjustments. The only way you can get out of that risky deal is IF ComEd's rate ends up being lower than MC2's (and if pigs fly over the bridge I have for sale). A better consideration for users of more … more ›