Energy companies make pitches to Kane

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Updated: December 10, 2011 9:52AM

GENEVA — The Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee heard two separate proposals on Tuesday from companies looking to work with the county on electrical aggregation, a concept intended to save residents and small business owners money on their electricity rates.

Representatives from Blue Star Energy and the Progressive Energy Group addressed the committee at the special meeting. Both companies are looking to work with the county to secure the lower energy rates for customers.

The process begins by placing a referendum question on the March 20 election ballot, asking voters to allow the county to go out to shop for the lowest electric rates.

The consultant will help the county through the process, from advising on the referendum to shopping for the most affordable suppliers. If voters turn down the idea, the process stops.

Blue Star Energy is the company that worked with Aurora, in its Go Green Aurora campaign, to purchase renewable energy. It also is working with Belleville, east of St. Louis, in its process to find affordable energy. Blue Star also is in talks with other municipalities and counties in the area.

The other request came from Progressive Energy Group and the Northern Illinois Municipal Energy Collaborative. They are in the process of working with about 15 towns in the area to provide lower energy costs.

Three of those municipalities are in Kane County — Sugar Grove, North Aurora and Elburn.

“We feel our expertise can help you,” said David Hoover, executive director of NIMEC.

The committee will discuss choosing a consultant and writing the referendum language at its regular meeting later this month. Committee members said they have a tight schedule to be able to get the item on the March ballot.