A municipal power cooperative between Nesquehoning and Packer Township is being formed.

On Wednesday, Nesquehoning Borough Council unanimously approved the final draft of the agreement that would establish the Broad Mountain Co-op Municipal Power Agency. Council members David DeMelfi and Mary Fox were absent.Council President David Hawk said that Packer Township had approved the agreement, which has been in the works since the end of last year, at its meeting on Monday.This was the final step in creating the cooperative, which will help the municipalities supply electric energy to its residents at a better cost by purchasing power from any source, such as wind or solar.Hawk said that now that both entities agreed to the final terms, the co-op can file for official certification with the state.By entering into a municipal power cooperative, it allows both Nesquehoning and Packer Township to purchase electricity cheaper and provide residents with either a cheaper rate for electricity or keep the price the same as what residents currently pay, but instead of additional fees going to PPL, the revenue would remain in the municipalities and could be used for anything from real estate tax relief or general operating costs to capital projects that may seem out of reach at this time.Residents will not be forced to purchase power from the co-op but will have the additional option available once the paperwork is approved at the state level.Packer Township and Nesquehoning are the only two members at this time, but any municipality has the option to join in the future, officials said.