HOLLIDAYSBURG - Blair County expects to save $120,000 annually by locking in an electric rate for a two-year period.
Commissioners voted Tuesday to participate, effective May 1, in the OnDemand Energy Solutions program offered as ChamberChoice by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.
The county pays between 7.25 and 7.45 cents per kilowatt hour for generation and transmission of electricity used at county-owned buildings, county Finance Director Robert Kuntz said. It can stay within that range by signing up for the OnDemand program.
Commissioner Diane Meling said Penelec's current price-to-compare for Blair County is 8.2 cents per kilowatt hour. Based on the difference between those rates, Kuntz estimated that the county can save $120,000 annually.
"So we're locking this rate in for two years?" Meling asked.
Kuntz said that was his recommendation.
"The energy prices are in a state of flux," he said. "I think it would be good to lock in today's rates."
Until Dec. 31, electricity prices in Pennsylvania were controlled by regulations.
On Jan. 1, price caps were removed, permitting electric suppliers to set rates for residential customers and larger users. The move was designed to encourage competition among the suppliers.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.
