The Village recently renewed a municipal aggregation program in April with 100% renewable energy at a 7.99 cent rate, which was a significant drop from the previous ComEd rate of 9.7 cents when the program went into effect. However, in June, ComEd lowered its residential rate to 7.0 cents. This difference in cost of both rates is $8/month to stay in the municipal aggregation program with 100% renewable energy instead of ComEd’s energy supply with only 17% renewable energy.
The benefits of staying with the 100% renewable energy municipal aggregation program are that it generates no greenhouse gas emissions, supports better air quality, uses less water, creates jobs, and helps Park Forest meet its climate action goals.
Residents can still opt out of this program and return to ComEd for their new lower rate at no charge but will only receive 17% renewable energy. To do so, you can call ComEd or email aHoover@nimec.net with your name and account number. They will see that your account is returned to the lower ComEd rate. Park Forest residents with additional questions can contact Sustainability Coordinator Carrie Malfeo by email (cmalfeo@vopf.com) or by phone (708-503-9372).
Park Forest has managed a municipal aggregation program since 2012 after the residents passed a referendum that authorized the Village to negotiate for more favorable electric rates for its residents. This program has saved many individual residences hundreds of dollars on their home ComEd bills from 2012 to 2023 and provided 100% renewable energy with each program.
Collectively, municipal aggregation programs have saved Park Forest residents millions of dollars since 2012.
Village Manager Tom Mick noted, “Municipal electric aggregation has saved Park Foresters substantial money in their electric utility bills since 2012. And in doing so, renewable energy sources have been used. This reduces the overall carbon footprint for Park Forest as our community strives to do its part to help the environment. In this most recent case of electric aggregation, the new ComEd rate per kilowatt hour is actually lower; and Village officials feel compelled to inform the residents.”
Again, the Village program includes 100% renewable energy reducing greenhouse gasses contributing to climate change. The impacts of this program can also be viewed as -reducing 29,000,000 pounds of coal burned, 5,872 gasoline-powered cars driven for one year, or the benefits created from 436,326 tree seedlings grown for ten years.
