No. No one associated with this program will be calling or knocking on your door.  All official information is sent via USPS and posted on the program’s web page.

Besides a lower energy price, Franklin Township customers in the program will also receive at least 10% more renewable energy than the state requires helping to reduce the township’s carbon footprint.

No. A resident’s information, including their account number, is confidential and can only be used to set up the municipality’s CEA program.

Yes, there is an option to receive 100% of your electricity from clean renewable sources.  To choose this option, you will need to opt in, or what is referred to as “Opting Up,” because you are upping the percentage of renewable energy you want. The “Opting Up”  program of 100% renewable energy helps to reduce the carbon footprint.  The cost for this energy may be more than what you are currently paying, which is why you need to take action to enroll by Opting Up.

Energy aggregation and community solar are completely different and unrelated. You can participate in community solar and the Township’s energy aggregation program at the same time by following the procedures with the community solar companies to sign up.

At this time, suppliers are not able to process the net metering portion of solar credits, and we recommend that residents with solar panels opt-out of the program to avoid losing their credits.

NO.

According to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Energy Aggregation “allows municipalities, working along or together in a group, to aggregate the energy requirements of residential, commercial, and municipal accounts so that the energy can be purchased from third-party suppliers at prices lower than average utility prices, with the possibility of added benefits such as higher renewable energy content”. Customers currently receive energy at a fixed rate from their default energy supplies (i.e., PSE&G). Through an Energy Aggregation Program, municipalities create larger buying groups and can obtain a cheaper rate for customers. These savings are passed down to residents and commercial businesses, saving approximately 12% on monthly energy bills.

A question is on the November 8, 2022 ballot to seek permission to create a Government Energy Aggregation Program. If approved, Franklin will formally pass an ordinance to establish the program and begin seeking bids from third-party suppliers to find the best prices for energy available. There is no cost to the customer, and there is an option to “opt-out” if an individual does not wish to participate.

For more information about Energy Aggregation, please visit the following sites for information:
How Does Energy Aggregation Work?: http://njgea.com/how-does-government-aggregation-work

Program Summary: https://www.state.nj.us/bpu/pdf/energy/NJ_Gov_Energy_Aggregation_Summary.pdf

Government Energy Aggregation: https://nj.gov/njpowerswitch/gea/#:~:text=A%20GEA%20program%20allows%20municipalities,lower%20than%20the%20average%20utility

No.  The program rate is non-variable and will remain the same from month to month for the length of the negotiated contract term.

A new reduced rate and term may be offered of which you will be notified. If the 5% and 10% more renewable criteria savings can’t be met in a new contract, you will automatically be returned to the default service rate through PSEG.

Municipalities in New Jersey can establish a Government Energy Aggregation program to aggregate the energy requirements of customer accounts so that the participating customers can purchase electric supply from Third Party Suppliers at prices lower than the average utility price, with the possibility of added benefits such as higher renewable energy content. [Adapted from https://nj.gov/njpowerswitch/gea/]

Shall the ordinance submitted by the Township Council providing for the establishment of a Community Energy Aggregation program by the Township of Franklin that requires the Township to go out to bid for electric energy for all Township residents and allows residents who do not want to participate in the program to opt out and stay with their current electric

• The bulk purchase agreement will only be permitted if the savings to residents is 5% or more.
• The energy purchase shall be comprised of renewable electricity in an amount at least 10% higher than the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which is the percentage of renewable energy required by the State of New Jersey.
• As required by State law, the bulk purchase of renewable energy by the Township for residents is on an opt out basis, meaning all residents will be enrolled unless they choose to opt out, which can be done at any time.
• Residents will also have the ability to select a 100% clean renewable electricity program.

A yes vote on this question would cause the Township to establish a Community Energy Aggregation program that would allow the Township to leverage the many residential households in town to contract with an energy supplier to save at least 5% on electricity that is produced with a minimum of 10% more renewable energy than required by the State. Once adopted, State law requires all residential customers to automatically be enrolled in this less expensive and cleaner electricity, but residents will have the option to "opt out" if they choose before the program begins, or at any time with 30 days notice. Separate and apart, if approved, residents could choose a 100% clean renewable electricity product by opting "in and up" which may or may not have any comparative savings.

The NJ Board of Utilities has enforcement authority over CEA programs in NJ.

Yes.  PSEG will continue to deliver your electricity and you will be billed at the regulated delivery rate.  PSEG will continue to provide all emergency and safety services, as well as meter reading, billing, and service restoration.  You will continue to receive only one bill each month from PSEG, and you will continue sending your payments only to PSEG.

No.  If a resident does not want to be a part of the CEA program, they can stay with their utility’s default energy providers or choose their own Third-Party Supplier (TPS).   There will never be a fee or penalty associated with participation or non-participation in the program.

Yes, the program offers budget billing.  You may experience a “true-up” prior to enrollment.