CAMBRIDGE -- Two public meetings Wednesday will give Cambridge residents an opportunity to discuss a proposal that the village negotiate electricity rates for all residents.

The "municipal aggregation" proposal will be voted on on April 9.

The meetings will be at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Community Hall.

Under aggregation, a municipality can negotiate a price for electrical energy for the entire community in hopes of gaining a lower rate than if people bought it on their own.

Electricity in Cambridge would still be delivered and billed by Ameren Illinois, even if the ultimate contractor is someone else. Currently, the Illinois Power Authority negotiates prices for electricity.

Cambridge village administrator Dwaine Van Meenen said savings of 20 to 27 percent are expected if the proposal is approved.

Residents and eligible businesses who would prefer not to have the municipality negotiate the price of their electricity could opt out either after receiving a letter that the supplier will change or within 10 days after receiving a letter that the supplier has changed.

Rock River Energy would go out for bids for Cambridge, and by April 29 the village board should be able to approve rates, according to Mr. Van Meenen.

According to the Citizens Utility Board, Ohio and Rhode Island estimate aggregation has saved their citizens more than $18 million per year.