BALTIMORE (May 13, 2004)  -- The Baltimore City Bureau of Purchases concluded its fourth successful cooperative bid process to procure energy for 23 local government entities in the region, with approval of contracts by the Baltimore City Board of Estimates on Wednesday, May 12. The Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee (BRCPC), a standing committee of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), recommended awarding a contract to Reliant Energy. The contract will total $67.3 million over the 23 months beginning July 1, and represents nearly 860 million kWh of electricity.

"Once again, Baltimore City is pleased to offer its expertise in a regional joint energy purchase," said Baltimore City Mayor Martin O’Malley, who serves as BMC Chair. "Smaller local government institutions, such as libraries and school systems, as well as smaller municipalities, will realize cost savings by being part of a purchasing pool with much larger consumers, such as Baltimore City."

The BRCPC awarded 23-month contracts to Reliant Energy Services for 2,405 GL, or commercial accounts. These accounts have been purchasing electricity at Price Freeze (PF) rates, which expire on June 30. Without a contract, these accounts would revert to the Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate, which is subject to fluctuation. The BRCPC estimates that the contract with Reliant Energy will save approximately $6.1 million compared with. the SOS rate over the term of the contract.

The purchase pool included the City of Aberdeen, Anne Arundel County Government, Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore County Community College, Baltimore County Government, Baltimore County Libraries, Baltimore County Revenue Authority, Baltimore City Government, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Lexington Market, Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore County Schools, Carroll County Government, City of Bel Air, City of Annapolis, City of Bowie, City of Hampstead, Harford Community College, Harford County Government, Harford County Public Schools, City of Havre de Grace, Howard Community College, and Howard County Government.

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