Mayor Seeks Feedback On Energy Co-op From Long Valley Residents

LONG VALLEY, NJ - Washington Township’s Committee is looking for residents to let them know their thoughts on participating - or not - in the township's Energy Aggregation Cooperative.

Mayor Matt Murello said the cooperative is planning to bid on a new contract around Sept. 22, to start January or March 2022, but the Township Committee would like to decide on participating in the contract by Sept. 1.

The Township Committee, Murello said, plans to discuss the cooperative at its upcoming work session meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 11; and is seeking resident feedback.

“Before we decide to enter the township into a new contract with the coop and go back out to bid, there have been a few times that people have reached out to me with questions about the program, concerns over the way it’s structured and also expressed reservations about the town being in the coop,” Murello told social media followers.

He provided the following data for Washington Township's participation in the program over the past two years:

• There have been 5,231 eligible residential participants in the program
• 372 homes or seven percent of Washington Township residents have opted out of the program
• 257 homes or six percent of Washington Township residents are participants in the 100 percent renewable energy option
• The total savings for all participating homes from Apr. 2019 to the present is $353,955.77 or $77 average per home

Murello asked that residents who have questions or comments for or against the township’s participation in the cooperative, to email feedback to him at mmurello@wtmorris.net before the meeting. Residents can also attend the Township Committee meeting in person on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

“I remain committed to allowing the residents the choice to enter this group coop if they want,” Murello said.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.