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Lombard won’t require alternative energy on aggregation bids

In a referendum about electric aggregation, Lombard will ask voters in the March 20 primary if they want the village to combine their accounts and seek a cheaper contract from power suppliers other than ComEd.

If electric aggregation gains voter support, the village plans to ask companies that submit bids to list the percentage of energy that could be provided from renewable sources, Village Manager David Hulseberg said.

But Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick on Thursday night withdrew a proposal that would have required bidders to provide cost estimates for six alternatives to traditional electricity — using either 100 percent, 50 percent or 15 percent of either renewable energy sources or carbon-free energy.

Three trustees voiced their opposition to requiring the six alternatives be included in electric aggregation bids after hearing Hulseberg explain why the extra options may cause difficulties in seeking the cheapest electricity for residents and businesses.

Hulseberg said Lombard intends to combine forces with other municipalities before seeking bids if voters approve electric aggregation.

“That means we’d have to be finding other communities that are going to be finding (the six alternatives) acceptable to be on the bid documents,” Hulseberg said. “I think we’d be very much limiting our hands.”

A more complicated bid request also may decrease the number of companies willing to respond, he said.

Trustees Peter Breen, Keith Giagnorio and Bill Ware agreed with Hulseberg’s assessment, saying they do not want to include the renewable and carbon-free alternatives if the village moves forward with electric aggregation.

“I do not want to limit us when we’re trying to bargain for more power and limit our savings to our residents,” Ware said.

Fitzpatrick then withdrew the proposal from consideration. She leads the village board’s environmental concerns committee, which supported the idea of seeking alternative energy options as part of an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions villagewide.

Lombard discusses aggregating electricity

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