Energy consultant pitches ComEd‑rate match aggregation; trustees question resident benefit

Representatives from NYMEC presented an option to restart municipal electrical aggregation at the Jan. 23 meeting, offering a ComEd‑rate match supply (no guaranteed customer savings) along with a menu of community benefits: a $40,000 annual civic payment, blocks of renewable energy generation that could qualify the village for EPA green power recognition, or a combination of a smaller payment and assistance for a small set of residents.

Adam Hoover, representing NYMEC, said the supplier MC Squared would never charge residents more than the ComEd tariff, and the village would be offered options: a civic payment, renewable energy blocks, or a hybrid that includes assistance to a limited number of residents. He described how suppliers segment customers by “cost to serve” and can make a margin while charging at or below the ComEd rate.

Trustees asked detailed questions. Several said they opposed an opt‑out default because they prefer residents actively electing to participate; others expressed concern that the program’s main financial benefit accrues to the village or the supplier rather than to residents. Trustee Fialco urged caution; Trustee Mason and others asked for more detail. The board did not vote and asked staff to digest the options and arrange a future workshop.

Why it matters: municipal aggregation can affect residential electricity supply contracts, local renewable energy procurement and community revenue streams; the proposed structure would not provide rate savings to most consumers but would generate funds or renewable energy that the village could direct to priorities.

Next steps: trustees asked staff to collect questions and schedule a follow‑up workshop if the board wants to pursue the matter further.