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Riverside approves 12-month, 100% wind renewable aggregation with MC Squared
Summary
The village board voted to renew its electric aggregation for a 12‑month fixed term with MC2 Energy Services, selecting a 100% wind renewable option and directing staff to clarify opt-out instructions for residents.
The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees voted to renew the village electric aggregation program for a 12-month fixed term with MC2 Energy Services and selected the 100% wind renewable option.
Clerk and staff reviewed bids from two suppliers; MC2 (MC Squared) offered the lowest fixed 12-month rate and a 100% wind renewable certificate option. The board discussed an alternative “ComEd price-match” structure that would track ComEd’s commodity price while directing either a portion of renewable energy certificates (RECs) or a civic grant toward local green initiatives.
Trustees debated the trade-offs between guaranteed renewables and a civic grant that would fund local initiatives; some trustees argued the civic grant’s $15,000 annual contribution would not offset giving up 100% renewables. Trustee comments emphasized uncertainty in wholesale markets but noted recent market movement that cut the premium for renewables compared with last year.
At the meeting a motion passed to accept a 12-month, 100% renewable (wind RECs) fixed-rate supply from MC2. Trustees also asked staff to improve resident outreach materials explaining how to opt out and what the change means for individual bills. A consultant clarified that RECs represent renewable attributes sourced from Midwest wind facilities (states mentioned included Iowa and Downstate Illinois) and that physical electrons on the grid do not change at a household outlet.
Staff and the board noted residential impacts vary monthly, but the village’s estimate for the renewal was a modest premium over prior months’ commodity pricing; trustees said there is also a possibility that, depending on ComEd price movement, households could still save compared with monthly ComEd charges. The ordinance renewing the program was approved by roll call.
