Hardyston delays joining energy co-op

HARDYSTON — The Hardyston Township Council is holding off on signing an agreement to join an energy cooperative unless residents are able to receive a 10 percent savings on their energy costs Township Manager Marianne Smith revealed at the most recent council meeting.

Mayor Carl Miller advised Smith and the council that he has more questions regarding the Government Energy Aggregation Program and the the township won't join until those questions are answered.

This program is supported by the Board of Public Utilities, Department of Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Division of Rate Council. In this program, the township has the opportunity to participate in the Passaic County Energy Cooperative Pricing System. The program could provide the residents who pay electric rates a chance to receive a direct reduction of their electric bills. The savings would be obtained through a bulk purchase of energy from a third-party supplier.

Jersey Central Power and Light will continue to transmit the electricity to the customers, but the energy that’s conducted through their system would come from another supplier. The cooperative expects that purchasing in bulk can result in lower rates contingent upon a few municipalities joining together.

It has gone out and bid twice and they were not successful in obtaining a reduced bid.