Franklin joins electric cooperative
FRANKLIN — Franklin’s Borough Council voted 3-2 to join the Passaic County Electric Cooperative despite reservations from the public — and some council members — about the government enacting a program that will automatically enroll residents in a program without their consent.
Mayor Paul Crowley began the discussion by reminding the council and public the benefits of the cooperative. One, he said, there will be a reduction in utility costs for borough residents, and two, the program is easy to get out of should a resident no longer want to be part of the PCEC.
At the ordinance’s Nov. 12 introduction, Borough Administrator Jim Kilduff advised the council that the municipality itself joined the cooperative last year and is “currently enjoying cost savings because of it.”
While Jersey Central Power & Light will continue to be responsible for the distribution of the borough’s electricity and the maintenance of its infrastructure, the energy will be provided by a third-party supplier — which will be chosen after Passaic County solicits bids for the project in March, said Wendy Molner, vice president of Government Relations for Concord Engineering and the state of New Jersey’s energy consultant.
The more municipalities that join the cooperative, she added, the more leverage the cooperative will have to negotiate the lowest possible prices. She estimates that members will see a six- to eight-week savings in their yearly electric bill.
Local government overstepping its bounds?
During the public hearing on the ordinance, resident Joann Tatka raised a concern with the cooperative’s automatic opt-in process for borough residents.
“That’s almost like socialistic,” she said.
Councilman Nick Giordano was most vocal in his opposition to the program, for the same reason.
“I don’t think the council has the right to arbitrarily decide where everyone gets power,” he said. “I’m capable of researching my own rates and making my own decisions.”
Councilman Gilbert Snyder agreed that “you really shouldn’t tell people what they should do,” but thought the intentions of the council were just — and therefore justified.
“We’re trying to help [residents] make that change and save some money,” he said.
Shortly after being sworn in, Councilman David Fanale voiced his opinion.
“I have a problem with the government, at this level, trying to help someone that hasn’t asked for help,” he said.
Past history with “third-party” suppliers
Several in attendance had past experience with third-party electric suppliers — both positive and negative.
“Our electric more than tripled” with a third-party supplier, Fanale said.
Snyder said his third-party supplier has saved him money over the past five years.
Kilduff cleared the air by advising that the PCEC was created as “a response to all of the issues that have occurred with these third parties.”
Several companies — which PCEC representatives called “scammers” — have taken advantage of both government deregulation and their clients, but “this program was created to fix that.”
Molner also issued the guarantee that “the rate will never go above the rate to compare.”
After all the discussion, the ordinance passed 3-2 and Franklin joined the PCEC. No votes came from Councilmen Giordano and Fred Babcock. Councilmen Snyder, Fanale, and Joe Limon voted yes. Councilman Mark Zschack was absent.