INTENT Submitted by the selectmen for the Energy Study Committee, this article seeks to discover what amount, if any, voters will approve to fund the basic beginnings of an electric aggregate meant to save residents money on power bills. Originally, the committee sought $356,800 for various components of establishing an aggregate such as customer demand analyses, review and approval by the Department of Transportation and Energy, set-up funds and $150,000 for capital expenses. This article contains no specific monetary request, though the committee may still ask for the original amount at Town Meeting. The funding would come in the form of an override.

PRO An island electric aggregate would, in theory, save residents approximately 15 to 25 percent on their power bills, and perhaps an additional five to 20 percent if user patterns are reduced. It would also mean that energy conservation funds, totaling about $340,000 annually and now going to National Grid, would be returned to the island for use in its own energy conservation programs. If approved by Town Meeting as an override, the proposal must still be posed as a ballot question. If approved, the override would be repaid from the aggregate's enterprise revenues. Voters at the 2006 Town meeting, and through a subsequent ballot question, favored creation of the aggregate.

CON There have been contradictory assessments as to the cost of setting up an aggregate and how it would operate. Further, there is no absolute guarantee that an aggregate will provide substantial savings because of the uncertainty of the commodities market that deals with futures purchasing. On the other hand, if the study suggested by the Finance Committee (below) proves to be a waste of time, it will also be a waste of taxpayers' money.

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Motioned that $35,000 be appropriated to fund a report outlining options for the operation of the aggregate and whether any less costly alternatives than thus far proposed for its establishment exist for consideration.