City Council to Choose Electricity Aggregation Provider and Energy Mix

The Evanston City Council is scheduled to determine tonight the percentage of the city’s that will come from renewable energy sources, the company that will provide that energy and the length of the aggregation contract term.

City staff members have already recommended a minimum of 75 percent renewable energy, suggested a term agreement of 24 months and narrowed the field down to three potential suppliers.

A March 20 referendum asking Evanston residents if they wanted the city to work to obtain lower electricity supply rates through an opt-out electricity aggregation program .

Soon after, the city began for potential pricing, and pre-qualified Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., FirstEnergy Solutions and MC Squared Energy Services, LLC, as potential suppliers.

According to Monday night’s meeting packet, “due to the volatility of the energy market, suppliers will only hold their prices for 24 hours.”

Though city staff recommended that a minimum of aggregated electricity come from renewable sources, it is still feasible the city could opt for 100 percent renewable energy. Likewise, aldermen could choose 12 or 36-month plans.

“Staff recommends the City Council…[to choose] the pre-qualified Alternate Retail Electric Supplier that provides the most favorable price per kilowatt hour for the length of term and renewable energy mix that the City Council determines to be the most advantageous,” reads Monday’s meeting packet.

The Special City Council Meeting will begin at 6 p.m. tonight in the Council Chambers of the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.