UPDATED: Lisle Trustees Favor Renewable Energy in New Electric Supplier

[Editor's note: this story was updated Tuesday evening with additional information provided by a Village of Lisle press release.]

The is one step closer to seeing lower rates on the electric bills of its residents and small businesses.

Monday night village trustees reviewed costs for one-, two-, and three-year contracts from electric suppliers across the state, including options with renewable energy. They opted for a two-year contract with Ohio-based First Energy Solutions at a rate of 4.78 cents per kilowatt hour. Residents are currently paying around 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour through ComEd.

The new rate includes a 100 percent renewable energy requirement.

"It's important that we take some portion of what we're going to be getting for the Village of Lisle should be green, if only to protect the environment for the future," said Mayor Joe Broda. "If we can reduce some part of coal emission... it's a step in the right direction."

Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative Executive Director David Hoover, who assisted village staff in reviewing the bids, said the switch will garner residents savings of roughly 44 percent, or $390 per household each year. The community will save approximately $2.5 million annually, according to a release from the Village.

The 100 percent green energy requirement will cost residents about $10 each year compared to the zero percent green energy option that was offered. Ertmoed said the energy requirement means power delivered to Lisle homes will come from a 100 percent of renewable energy mix. 

Hoover explained that electric suppliers provide municipalities with renewable energy credits which they can use toward the development of green power.

Residents will receive mail notices of the new rate this summer, and will have the opportunity to opt out of the program prior to rates going into effect in September. New rates will be reflected on residents’ October bills.

Should a customer decide they want to re-join the program after opting out, they can do so at any point during the duration of the contract without penalty.

"Residents who participate in this program will experience no change in their relationship with ComEd," according to a release from the Village. "The utility company will remain responsible for the infrastructure and distribution of electricity. ComEd will also continue to do all electrical billing and will remain the responsible agent for issues associated with delivery of electricity to the homeowner."

The rate does not affect the municipality tax, which is based on residents' usage.

"This is a great deal for Lisle residents," Broda said in a statement from the Village. "At a time when all of us feel that the cost of everything is going up, this will make a noticeable difference in the monthly payments of our residents for electrical service."

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