Clinton and DeWitt County are beginning the early investigative stages of electric aggregation.

Several surrounding communities including Lincoln and other Logan County communities and McLean County communities have either incorporated this or begun to investigate it. Clinton Mayor Carolyn Peters explains outside companies can come in and provide bids at rates lower, if not competitive with local provider Ameren's rates.

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The idea of electric aggregation is to find rates that are cheaper than what you are currently paying, however, the Mayor explains, once you lock into a contract, the rate you agree to, is the rate you pay for the term of the contract, regardless of whether your local providers rates fall below that threshold.

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This decision is not made alone by City officials. Mayor Peters says the City Council will decide whether to take this to referendum, which would then be decided on by the voters. Should the voters decide they want to proceed with the aggregation of their electricity, the City would then go out for bid for electric rates from outside providers, and then agree to a contract of a negotiable length. The important thing for residents to remember is they are not obligated once the referendum passes, there is an opt out option for those not wishing to participate.

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The Mayor is calling on the citizens of the community to help in deciding whether the city wants to continue with this process. The DeWitt County Board has begun investigating this, but according to Mayor Peters, it would not affect them because the County would only be able to cover the unincorporated areas. The City of Clinton would be covering its citizens.

The Mayor is imploring residents and voters to approach her about what their feelings are. She says they need to proceed forward in this with caution with the desires of the voters in mind.