TimesLeader.com

October 21

AH works with Con Edison

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

ABINGTONS - The Abington Heights School District has made a business agreement with Con Edison to be its electricity supplier for two years starting January 2010.

Superintendent Michael Mahon explained during the school board’s work session on Wednesday, Oct. 7, that in anticipation of a cost increase in electricity next year, the district sought out the help of EnerNOC, a group that has performed an analysis of the district’s electricity use and found the district is in a position to save on electricity costs.

“We, as an organization, have a very desirable profile for electricity usage,” said Mahon.

“Generally in the summer, during the day or late in the afternoon, that is when the highest amount of electricity is being used… It just happens that because of our cycle, that’s the time when we’re using the least amount of electricity. So when electricity is the most expensive, we’re using the smallest possible amount, that profile has a value to us with respect to people bidding on our electricity.”

With the help of EnerNOC, the board drafted a proposal that was sent out to energy suppliers who were given the opportunity to put in bids.

Due to the way electricity rates are constantly resetting, suppliers were asked to submit their bids electronically and the board then had just three hours to respond.

Since the matter was so time sensitive, the board gave Mahon authority to decide which supplier to use without putting the matter to a vote, but they also requested to be kept informed before the decision was made.

Bids were received from UGI, PPL Energy and Con Edison, with Con Edison coming in with the best bid of a fixed rate over two years of 8.460 cents per kilo watt hour.

The board will convene again for their monthly meeting today, Wednesday, Oct. 21.