The Village of Park Forest is participating in an electric aggregation program in April. Carrie Malfeo, the Sustainability Coordinator for the Village, says this means residential and small business customers will receive a fixed rate per kWh which will not fluctuate for the duration of the agreement and will be backed by 100% Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs.)
Additionally, Malfeo said the Village has continually supported green energy, and this program continues to do that.
"The rate will stay fixed for two years at 7.99 cents per kWh no matter how many people have opted in or out of the program," Malfeo said. "As of right now, the rate of 7.99 cents per kWh is cheaper with the aggregation plan than the default ComEd rate of 9.6 cents per kWh."
Malfeo added the other benefit of not "opting out" is that the energy you use will be offset by 100% Renewable Energy Credits (RECS) instead of a fossil fuel mix from ComEd. She said ComEd is only mandated to use 25% renewable energy, such as wind and solar.
Malfeo explained the letter residents received in the mail earlier this month is legitimate, and they'll still have ComEd as a provider. She said customers would notice a little difference in their bills.
"When you look at your ComEd bill, there are three sections: supply, delivery, and tax," Mafeo said. "We are only talking about the supply portion of your bill, and the only difference with the aggregation, under the supply section, it will say MC Squared, which is the company, and the 7.99 cents per kWh.
Malfeo said other than that, everything else will be the same on your bill. She reiterated this is an opt-out program, and everyone is automatically opted-in, as residents voted for that in a referendum back in 2012 when the Village decided to shop around for electric aggregations.
Additionally, Malfeo said residents should know everything will stay the same. She said if a customer loses power or has line problems, ComEd is still your supplier.
For more information on Park Forest’s Electric Aggregation Program, click here. Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns you can call the Sustainability Office by calling 708-503-9372.