Jackson to Consider Bulk Energy Purchasing

Jackson Township's Mayor is considering an innovative way to save the municipal government, local businesses and residents money while generating non-traditional revenue at the same time. The savings would come by changing the way electricity is purchased in the township.

Mayor Mike Reina says recent changes in state legislation and policies adopted by the State Board of Public Utilities (BPU), allows towns to purchase electricity in bulk from a third party supplier and then pass those savings onto rate payers in what's called the Energy Aggregation Program. Reina says the program promises to save residential, commercial and municipal customers 5 and 10 percent on their electric bills, never to exceed what they're paying now. It also allows them to opt out of the program altogether.

Reina has invited an energy aggregation consulting firm from Boston to make two presentations this month to explain the concept to residents in hopes of winning their approval.

Township Administrator Joey Torres says even if the majority of township residents want them to move forward, the program would need to get Council approval and go through a competitive bidding firm selection process. The good news is that if the program is adopted, the Township would receive a 5 to 10 percent service fee.

Torres says the two separate public presentations are slated for Saturday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 29th at the Jackson Township Municipal Building from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.