Edinboro, Franklin, Oil City and Warren Plan Ahead to Save Taxpayer Funds Through PLCM’s Municipal Utility Alliance Electricity Procurement Program

HARRISBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities (PLCM) Executive Director John A. Garner, Jr. today announced Edinboro Borough and the cities of Franklin, Oil City and Warren have locked into electric rates with Constellation NewEnergy through PLCM’s Municipal Utility Alliance (MUA) ahead of rate caps expiring in the Penelec service territory.

“If they wait to make a decision about their 2011 electricity supply, they may lose opportunities to lock in attractive rates now”

“Our members – and municipalities statewide – are taking advantage of the competitive electricity market,” Garner said. “Edinboro, Franklin, Oil City and Warren are smart to get the best prices now while electricity rates are at record lows, ahead of rate caps expiring in the Penelec service territory on Dec. 31. We have seen great success in the PPL service territory through the program we have established with Constellation NewEnergy, and that will only grow as rate caps expire across the Commonwealth at the end of this year.”

Through the PLCM MUA Electricity Procurement Program, Constellation NewEnergy is committed to assisting municipalities in implementing energy management strategies and making smart purchasing decisions.

“After careful investigation, we were able to lock in our prices for three years,” said Mary Ann Nau, assistant city manager for the City of Warren. “This not only helps save taxpayer dollars, but allows us to build responsible budgets for the next three years without surprises like rising electricity costs. We can continue to provide quality services to our residents without adding undue burdens on them.”

“As we learned with the expiration of rate caps in the PPL service territory, cities and municipalities should take the time now to consider their electric service options and certainly do not have to wait until next year to make decisions about their electric service needs,” said David I. Fein, vice president of Constellation Energy and director of retail energy policy. “They can become educated now, seek out the right type of product or service, and enter into agreements that meet their needs through the PLCM MUA. It’s a great way for cities and municipalities to set their energy budgets in advance so they know what to expect next year.

“If they wait to make a decision about their 2011 electricity supply, they may lose opportunities to lock in attractive rates now,” Fein said.

Since its inception in 1997, the primary objective of the PLCM MUA Program has been to help local governments navigate their way through the complexities of electric restructuring while educating their members on the current state of the energy market. In doing so, they have evaluated potential savings opportunities and how best to realize them.

There are presently over 90 municipalities in the current MUA Electricity Procurement Program purchase. Any Pennsylvania municipality is eligible to participate in this cost saving program, and if interested should contact the PLCM at 717-236-9469 as quickly as possible due to the volatility of the market.

About the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities

The Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1900 as an advocate for Pennsylvania’s 3rd class cities. Today, PLCM represents Pennsylvania’s cities, townships, town, boroughs and home-rule municipalities that all share the league’s municipal policy interests. The board of directors oversees the administration of a wide array of municipal services including legislative advocacy, publications, education and training, consulting-based programs, and group insurance trusts.

For more information about the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities, please visit www.plcm.org.