Electric aggregation renewal fails after split vote as trustees debate opt‑out mechanics

The Village of Hampshire on Dec. 5 considered renewing its electric aggregation (opt‑out) program but the board failed to pass the measure after a 3‑3 tie.

Sharon Gurley, introduced by the village manager as president of Electric Aggregation of Illinois, described two program options: an April start with a $35,000 grant and a February start at a different price. She said the program offers a supplier whose rate follows ComEd’s common rate so residents would not pay more than the common rate and that about 14% of residents currently contract with other suppliers at higher rates.

Trustees asked how the program interacts with existing third‑party contracts and with customers on solar or net‑metering arrangements. Gurley and staff repeatedly said residents who have private contracts are not automatically enrolled and that solar customers would not be automatically opted in; those accounts would receive notices and could choose whether to participate.

Trustees also asked about notice mechanics and who would receive mailings; staff said notices would go to every ComEd account in the village that is a resident or small business and that the supplier typically drafts the opt‑out notice subject to village approval. A trustee raised concerns that notice mailings can be spoofed by scammers and urged staff to host information on the village website and newsletter to increase trust.

When trustees voted on a motion to approve the April start with the $35,000 grant (the option staff recommended as financially favorable), the roll call resulted in a 3‑3 tie and the motion failed. The transcript shows the motion was tied 3‑3; the chair declared the motion failed as a result.

No further motion to adopt a different aggregation option was passed at the meeting.