Energy Savings Plan Wins Council OK

At its business meeting last Tuesday, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council without fanfare approved a measure to change the way electricity will be supplied to most residents.

The council approved Mayor James Barberio's proposal for Parsippany to become part of a government energy aggregation program through which electricity for the town is purchased at lower rates at energy auctions.

Under this plan, residents could save more than $150 per year on their individual electricity bills, according to Gabel and Associates, a Highland Park-based energy, environmental and public utility consulting firm the town has hired to take the actions necessary to implement the plan.

According to the mayor's office, Gabel and Associates' services come at no cost to the township.

For the town as a whole, savings reportedly could exceed $3 million.

Energy aggregation is fast becoming popular among municipalities throughout the state, including Plumstead Township. According to a statement from the mayor's office, residents there saved an average of 10 percent off their overall electricity bills. 

And though energy might come from another source, it still arrives using Jersey Central Power and Light-owned and maintained transmission lines and equipment. JCP&L customers therefore would still use the utility as its point of contact for service.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this opportunity to our residents to reduce their monthly electricity bills," the statement quoted Barberio. "Based on current estimates, the GEA program could save over $3 million across the township in the first year alone.”

Parsippany residents who already purchase electricity through third-party suppliers are not required to take part in the program. And in fact, while all customers not using third-party suppliers will be enrolled in the GEA program automatically, no resident is forced to participate—if a customer does not wish to be part of the energy aggregation effort, she or he can opt-out of the program at any time via phone or an online form. 

The mayor's office noted that per state law, the aggregation program will only be offered if there is a savings to Parsippany residents.