Barrington Hills to hold electricity referendum

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Updated: December 26, 2011 8:37AM

Barrington Hills will be joining a flood of Chicago area towns holding referendums in March on aggregating its electricity contract, that is banding its businesses and residents together to chose a possible third-party supplier. 

The village board voted unanimously Monday night to ask residents if the village should aggregate their bills, allowing the board to negotiate for the lowest price. Savings could kick-in later in the year.

 Deer Park village trustees discussed the initiative Monday night as well, and plan to vote on the proposed ballot question in December.

Many municipalities have been unable to provide potential savings estimates; however, representatives of Chicago-based Integrys Energy Group, who attending Monday’s board meeting in Barrington Hills, released their findings Monday, reporting potential significant savings.

The switch to a third-party supplier could save the village more than $1 million a year, they said, or about $714 per residence. That represents about a 21 percent savings, the Barrington Hills Board was told.

“I don’t see a the downside,” said Trustee Karen Selman.

Trustee Elaine Ramesh expressed concern that the March primary date would lead to a light turnout.

Integrys officials said they would help with the marketing of the referendum, without advocating for a particular service.

Electricity deregulation has been in affect since 1999 and most industrial, commercial and municipal users have made the switch from Commonwealth Edison to another supplier, often posting savings in the double digits.

However, this year residents have become eligible for aggregation. Local towns such as Grayslake, Oak Park and Oakbrook have held referendums that passed and are already experiencing savings, according to Integrys representatives.

In all, more than 100 towns in Illinois will be holding referendums this year in an attempt to gain electoral permission to switch to a lower priced supplier, according to Integrys officials.

Village President Robert Abboud said the sheer number of local municipalities doing the same will help with publicity, so voters will be informed.

A public information effort must be made, several trustees said, telling residents they can opt out of any plan the village eventually decides upon.

Chicago-based Integrys was at the meeting to pitch its services but readily acknowledged that more than 20 companies in the state can serve residents, although just a handful have experience aggregating towns the size of Barrington Hills.

ComEd’s local infrastructure would still deliver the power supply.

Trustee Harold Gianopulos asked if Integrys is among the suppliers that could supply a “green” source of energy. Integrys officials said Oak Park chose to go with a “green” contract, but is paying more for the privilege.