Village Could Seek Lower Municipal Power Rates

In March, whether the village should have the authority to seek cheaper electricity rates for residents through electrical aggregation. But first, it’s the village’s turn to try to save a few bucks on power.

On tap for the Jan. 18 meeting is a resolution to join the Northern Illinois Electric Cooperative (NIMEC), which would then act as a broker to try to secure reduced rates for the municipal electric bill.

According to village documents, the deregulation of Commonwealth Edison means its parent company, Exelon, is no longer the sole supplier of power for Northern Illinois, giving communities the freedom to purchase electric power based on market price.

Under the resolution, NIMEC would have the authority to seek bids on member communities’ behalf. If the co-op is able to secure a lower rate than that offered by Exelon, the village manager would have the authority to sign a 12-month contract for Romeoville.

The village’s current contract with Exelon is set to expire on May 30, 2012. 

Stocking up on salt

Trustees are also scheduled to vote on a proposal to stock up on rock salt.

Public Works Director Dan Bromberek is scheduled to present a proposal to renew the village’s contract with Cargill Salt to purchase salt in bulk. Under the deal, the village would pay $88.49 per ton for material and delivery.

The new contract would last through Jan. 31, 2013.

Editor's Note: Due to a typo on village documents, an earlier version of this article stated that the agenda contained an item to renew the village's contract with Cargill to purchase road salt. The agenda item in fact refers to rock salt. Public Works Director Dan Bromberek noted the typo during the Jan. 18 village board meeting.