Baltimore-Area Leaders Launch New Strategic Energy Initiative

City, Counties Announce Cost Saving Measures on Electricity Purchasing
BALTIMORE (June 7, 2005) -- The Elected Executives of the Baltimore region announced today they will begin a new Strategic Energy Initiative.  The measure could potentially save local governments millions in costs by collectively managing its power portfolio and procuring electricity more directly from the competitive marketplace.

At a Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) Board meeting, local leaders voted to secure an expert electricity consultant to advise the Baltimore-area governments on implementing the new electricity procurement strategy.

“We are embarking on a new era of government efficiency and cooperation,” said Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr., Chair of the BMC.  “This is an exiting and historic initiative; and I’m proud of the good work that can be accomplished when local partners work together.”

The new strategy will save the six local governments over half a million dollars in electricity costs in the near term.  The savings is expected to grow as the energy procurement strategy is fully implemented. Primarily, the initiative focuses on purchasing power closer to the source and eliminating “middleman” costs.  An informal survey of licensed power providers revealed that the new approach is unique among government entities nationally.

“We can achieve better savings on electricity by looking at our purchasing strategy in a different way. As a result, the leaders of the Baltimore Region are providing a new level of savings and accountability to our taxpayers. This is what good-government is all about,” Smith concluded.




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Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 07:32