What are the pros and cons to a Barnegat Resident of this proposed deal?

Are we really going to be saving 17%, or is the true energy cost going to be inflated 17% to make it seem the residents are "saving", when there are no real savings - and Birdsall and the Energy co. are reaping profits...

Let have all the facts - and what are the opinions from residents of other towns who have opted in - are they really saving $, have their energy costs been escalated AFTER opting in and are they satisfied with the program and the services rendered?

Sure, 17% savings sounds great, but how soon after an opt in will the consumer's rates be "adjusted"...

How does this program generate revenue for the township? Here is a link to CPG's website: http://www.colonialpowergroup.com. I can't find any reference to revenue generation for muncipalities that partipate.

When former Stafford Mayor John Mc Menamin got to approve
the use of OUR Parkland* for dedicated Solar, Wind
and other sources of energy. * Parkland approved to
be preserved in Perpetuity --- FOREVER
Several council members based upon a presentation
(Walter Group involved), Stafford would receive a small discount
on Public Works electricity - energy.
NOT A SINGLE WATT IS GOING OUTSIDE THE STAFFORD BUSINESS
PARK COMPLEX ... many felt the SOLAR was also going out to residents
who have paid property taxes (of all levels).
I plan on returning to attending our Council meetings
on a regular basis, ask questions and follow the almighty
dollars spent. Stafford township (aggregator based proposal)
projected savings is estimated at 10% of what-watt???
FYI... aggregator- noun... a wholesale buyer or broker of a
utility service, such as electricity or long distance telephone
service, who package it and sells it to consumers.

Mind you the original agreement with Walters Group of companies
and Stafford was to preserve the capped landfill for Parkland in Perpetuity ---
definition; a thing that lasts forever of for an indefinite period in particular
a law or restriction making a real estate inalienable for a period beyond
certain limits by law ... Perpetuity means virtually anything our government
wants it to mean ... in this case the residents of Stafford got scammed.
Walters who is the sole benefactor to OUR parkland and THEIR Solar utility
services ... in my experience developers of all forms use an insidious tactic
subtle way, gradual process to ultimately get what they want ... or better
their side of almost many deals with local government leaders.

Whatever happened to the raid on Birdsall's NJ offices??

Besides the raid, maybe some should read this article as well - seems Birdsall/PMK is trying to get into other towns with solar/energy projects as well - all if which will soles benefit themselves, over the consumers (ie: taxpayers).

http://www.wwpinfo.com/index.php?option=com_us1more&Itemid=6&key=5-25-12obersvations

Oh and more:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/126076308_LOCAL_ISSUE__Solar_energy_development_for_towns__schools_Consultants_get_a_cut_from_projects.html

Before Barnegat makes such a decision, the taxpayers better read and understand all clauses and the financial impact this WILL have - before being duped into any supposed "savings".

Total scam. If any private citizen wants to "reduce" their electric bill by 10% just call or contact one of the 10 - 20 new electric supply companies that will do that for you. I don't need my government to sign up everyone in the town for something that they don't want and than they have to "opt out" of it. By the way, it sounds like the $50,000 a month revenue to the town is just a payoff from the company who are going to end up signing all 10,000 + households in Barnegat. If 75% of Barnegat opts out, they still end up with at least 2500 new customers. But I'm sure that our officials will look this deal over with a fine tooth comb (with a little help from our paid professionals) and they will do the right thing for the people of Barnegat. Hey, committee, we don't need your help to get this deal, it's already available to anyone who wants it. Can't any of you just say no to an obviously stupid idea that is going to profit a company more than your citizens.

Here is how it played out in Union County -
http://www.countywatchers.com/?p=4811

Be aware of what is being hyped as "savings".

I will definitely opt out and let everyone else take the risk. Why are we so quick to get in bed with this company? Who's friends with who here? Stafford is in the middle of signing up with this company as I type this. Why don't we do the prudent thing and wait to see how Stafford plays out?

From my own reading all of these electricity resellers are big scams. I just need to know who I send the paperwork to and when I can send it. I'm not going to be Barnegat's guinea pig.

If they can gurantee a 17% rate cut from what NJ Natural Gas and JCP&L charge forever, then its a good deal. But, I switched gas and electric several years ago and then switched back because after the initial drop in rates, I found that NJ Natural Gas was cheaper, and now JCP&L is cheaper. Also, both companies gave rebates last year which the other companies didn't.

Ray - that is what most likely will happen. A "savings" offer will be presented, most likely an inflated savings - then months down the road, the taxpayers will receive notification that "due to blah blah blah, your rates are increasing or the discount will be smaller".

If through this opt in, there is a Contract with the black and white as to EXACTLY what the taxpayer will recieve as far as service expectations AND the actual per kw rate he/she is expecting to pay - with NO future hidden fees, ballooning rates or ballooning discounts, then maybe it will be viable.

Also what has not been discussed or established - suppose a taxpayer opts in, is dissatisfied and opts out - what are the penalties?? Every such offer has clauses when opting into a program.

Be aware too that in many such noted solar programs tied to these firms that the Twp's are locked into a 15 YEAR deal, of which the initial install costs MILLIONS and the return on the investment is not seen instantly - its years until that $50k rolls in monthly.

Don't be duped like other towns - research what goes on and the processes involved with such a "deal".

So, here in this very article about Stafford possibly doing the same thing - its quoted their savings will only be around 10% AND that a taxpayer could be paying either less OR the same per kwh - based on a "meet or beat" pricing structure.

http://barnegat-manahawkin.patch.com/articles/stafford-to-pursue-possible-electric-aggregation-plan

And the providers of choice would be ConEd or Atlantic City Electric for Stafford taxpayers. With all the problems in the news about ConEd services, good luck to those who end up with their service plan.

Research people!

First, the Feds shove a health care bill that more than 60% of the population does not want, and now the Locals are going to try and shove an electrical supplier down my throat. When will Fed, State, and Local governments realize that most people don't want or need them to make decisions for us and run our lives.

Let's look at the bright side. At $50K/mo in one year we could replenish the money taken from from the open space fund to hide the real cost of building the turf field on Old Lower Shore Rd.

Did Birdsall ever get accused of anything after the raid? While I share your concern if they were doing something illegal, I never saw any follow up accusing them of anything. I'm sure they make political contributiions but what professional services group (lawyers, engineers, consultants) who serve the public sector, doesn't? I blame the politicians for that more than the firms trying to keep their employees busy. With regard to this energy program, I too am constantly bothered by scam artists pledging to save me x % but if I heard them correctly, I can opt out at any time, even after the program is in place. If it can truly save me money and make revenue for Barnegat that we normally wouldn't have to complete other projects, I'd consider it. Doesn't sound like a lot of downside with at least some upside.

One key to winning! Do not rent or purchase
any properties that are developed by anyone who
apparently have political ties to ANY administration
sitting in office.
Connecting dots is the simple way to determine who
and what are working against OUR ever seeing anything
go down except for PROPERTY VALUES and what
so many were conned into coming to OCEAN COUNTY.
FACTOID: developers are all guilty of not fulfilling the
many agreements they have signed off on for over
40-years ... I am suspect of ANY such plan to lower
our costs of energy ... it's been a major con since
the beginning of solar ... "SOLAR AND WIND ARE
MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
OF ENERGY" economists have said so ... politicians
use energy to get elected ... but let's see a contract
that can guarantee any such discount beyond
a first year or so ???
How has the Stafford Business Park development lowered
Stafford Township property taxes?? They may be stable
at a high rate that's good for the politicians and developer
but not for the residents.

Regarding the topic of "Generating Revenue for the township" I know that North American Power pays it's customers to refer others to use their supply. Electricity and natural gas deregulation has created an $ 850 billion dollar industry and that's an opportunity of a lifetime for people who need to make some financial changes in their lives. NAP's Go-Green Initiatives are creating jobs for Americans as well as saving the planet we are living on! It saddens me that our townships are NOT telling the entire story! That money, mandating 10,000 residential and commercial properties, all $850 billion is going into THEIR pockets people, WAKE UP!!!! People are suffering with this economy. People need a way to make ends meet and put food on their table for their families. People NEED jobs. NAP has created a way to help Americans, not hurt them. www.NAPower.com/166596 Take a look at their system and tell me it isn't brilliant! I need the work and money.. I have a daughter entering college and I am a single mom.. we all have a story and a 'why'. That income belongs to the American people!

Common sense tells you that there will be some cost to the township, no matter that the committee and/or the aggregator say otherwise. So anyone who choose to opt out of this will be paying something toward it anyway, in addition to their regular electric bill. "No cost to any taxpayer" is one of the biggest b.s. statements by any politician in any circumstance. I have yet to speak with anyone that considers this potential action a good move by our township.

I haven't read all of the article, nor do I want to, but I'm pretty sure from the townships past performance that we WILL NOT see a savings, and IT WILL somehow cost the taxpayers something. Remember, nothing is actually FREE, but what if it is? What will the town do with the $50,000 monthly it is said they will make? It states that "we will most likely put the $50,000 toward our current electric bill". What will we do with the money we were paying our electric with? THIS IS ALL BS. Show me EXACTLY how and where the money will be spent before i decide, not just fast talk.