To the Editor:
To the Editor:
A community conversation about Municipal Energy Aggregation has been ongoing over the past several months. Fundamentally, this is an effort to save Hopewell Township residents money. The consultants who are helping us explore this opportunity, Concord Energy, have helped residents in other towns save about $150-200 per year on their electric bills.
There is a long list of towns that have worked with Concord, but some local examples include Lambertville, Kingwood, Delaware, Frenchtown, Stockton, and Alexandria, who have recently joined the Hunterdon Area Energy Cooperative. Pennington Borough also has passed an energy aggregation ordinance.
We also are exploring a way to offer an additional option with up to 100% renewable energy as a way to fight climate change at the local level.
A letter was sent to every household in December explaining the program, and we so far have held four public information sessions (at the Watershed, the Union Firehouse, the Township Building, and Stony Brook elementary), two sessions in our senior communities in Brandon Farms, and we have presented at the Hopewell Valley Green Team and the Township Environmental Commission. Information also is available at haveyoursayhopewelltwp.org.
We have received positive feedback from the public and therefore plan to hold a work session as a part of the regular Township Committee Meeting on February 3 so Committee Members can discuss the program. This may include introduction of the ordinance, and a public hearing date could be set.
If the Township Committee decides to move forward, Concord Energy (at their expense) will send more information to every household explaining the process and giving multiple ways to opt out if desired. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Courtney Peters-Manning
Speaking as an individual, not as a member of the Township Committee
