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Village Improves Contract From Electricity Source

Board of Trustees approves report, hopes to promote use of sustainable fuel.

After a year of purchasing electric power from MC Squared as part of an eight-community consortium, the Village Board of Trustees approved amendments to the original contract Monday at its meeting.

The change will bring the Village and its residents who chose to obtain their electric power from MC Squared added benefits at a time when the company will be able to negotiate the best possible price for Deerfield and the other communities for the next year starting June 1.

Earlier: Deerfield Residents Saving $55 on Electric Bills

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“March is the best time to lock in electric rates,” Andrew Lichterman, the assistant to Village Manager Kent Street, said to the Trustees at the meeting Monday. “We would like to get it approved so we can get the rate while the going is good.”

The contract changes will provide the Village with updated customer account information at least twice a year at the company’s cost, an internet based platform to ease the way for new customers, elimination of a $25 early termination fee and an increase in renewable energy credits.

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The use of more sustainable energy sources was a something the Village did not want to force on residents a year ago but some trustees want to take another look at making it a requirement rather than an option.

“We did not require renewable energy last year,” Trustee Barbara Struthers said. “How many people have signed up for it?” She and would like to see an expanded use. Approximately two percent of the customers use the source, according to Lichterman.

The cost of adding the option is approximately $20 per year for the average Deerfield home, according to Lichterman. He emphasized people can make the switch at any time.

Of the eight municipalities in the group—Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Highland Park, Glencoe, Northbrook, Park Ridge and Skokie—only Lake Forest requires its residents to take the renewable energy option, according to Lichterman.

Though the number is small, Deerfield is among the higher consumers of renewable energy in the area outside Lake Forest. “In comparison we are higher than the other communities, he said. “We continue to promote green energy.”

Mayor Harriet Rosenthal was enthusiastic about touting the sustainable option. “Now we can really promote it (based) on the cot and the benefit,” she said. 

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