Moorestown Considering Energy Aggregation Plan

Moorestown residents may see a change in their energy bill in the near future.

Representatives from Commercial Utility Consultants appeared before Council at its meeting Monday night to present an energy aggregation proposal it has been shopping around to other municipalities in the county.

Currently, PSE&G provides Moorestown residents with its power as supplier and delivery agent.

Under the proposal, a third party supplier would provide the energy to commercial, business and residential buyers, and PSE&G would act as the supplier.

Residents would have 30 days to opt out of the plan, but residents can opt in or opt out at no charge at any time, depending on their meter reading cycle, according to the Commercial Utility Consultant representatives.

Residents who currently have a third-party supplier are not part of the proposal, but they can opt-in at any point once their current contract expires.

Commercial Utility Consultant is currently meeting with municipalities throughout Burlington County, citing the advantage of a bigger buy-in to benefit municipalities county-wide. Other counties have seen savings of 5-13 percent, according to the representatives.

However, one resident said she changed her supplier and the cost of her bill increased.

“It is a valid concern because other people have said they haven’t had good results,” Councilwoman Stacey Jordan said.

She added that the county is keeping a strict eye over the program, and Township Manager Scott Carew emphasised the advantages of buying in bulk.

The Township is in the middle of a three-year contract, but it wouldn’t have to break that contract to join the program, according to the representatives.

All municipalities must hold their public hearing and second readings by March 13, and bids must be sent to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities by March 17 for a 15-day review period.

Municipalities must sign the agreement by April 22, and the 30-day opt-out period is May 6-June 8.

To meet all deadlines, Council would have to hold a first reading on proposed action at its next meeting, Feb. 23.