MEGA Bid Ensures Energy Savings for Participating Local Governments
November 10th, 2011
The Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance (MEGA) recently opened new bids from energy supply companies that will provide lower priced electric and gas for municipalities across New York State.
"Our group buying and public bid approach continues to provide lower rates than standard utility pricing, " said Barbara Blanchard, MEGA's executive director. "With this announcement, our participants can be confident they will keep their utility costs under control, whether they use fixed or variable pricing." The new electric and gas programs run through 2014.
MEGA's electric and natural gas supply programs provide municipalities with the ability to manage energy expenses, obtain low cost renewable energy and receive the most competitive pricing in today's nergy market. Participating municipalities have achieved $12 million in
savings over the life of the program.
"MEGA's competitive energy offerings remain effective in helping local governments control the cost of government for the taxpayer," said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. NYSAC endorses and sponsors the MEGA program for county governments.
The biggest improvement to the electricity program, Blanchard added, will allow customers to blend renewable energy credits with their electric purchase at less than one-tenth the price of a few years ago.
"Our customer analysis indicates many will be able to add in renewable energy credits for 100% of their usage and still spend less overall than they did last year," Blanchard said.
The new electricity program will supply customers in three utility territories: National Grid, Rochester Gas & Electric, and New York State Electric and Gas. The new gas program covers those same utilities plus National Fuel Gas in western New York.
The successful bidders were:
Integrys Energy Services, electricity in all three utility areas; Hess Corporation, natural gas in National Grid, RG&E and NYSEG; and Energetix, natural gas in National Fuel.
Municipalities who want to participate in MEGA should go to www.megaenergy.org to request a non-binding offer for energy savings.
MEGA is a not-for-profit local development corporation (www.megaenergy.org) founded and operated by participating county governments. It now provides energy supplies to nearly 30 counties, plus dozens of other municipalities, school districts, special districts, non-profits, and commercial customers. It serves customers from the Hudson Valley to Western New York.
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving the counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC's mission is to represent,educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.