County looks for utility savings

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

In these tough economic times, Wheatland County staff is actively look at savings for county services. One initiative is a re-evaluation of Wheatland County utility providers.
Dave Churchill, general manager of transportation and infrastructure with the county, presented Wheatland County council with a cost-saving solution to their electric and natural gas energy needs for 2018-2020.
Churchill said Alberta’s Bill 20: Climate Leadership Implementation Act will increase costs by $12,800 in 2017 and $19,000 in 2018 and beyond. He suggested securing a wholesale energy market trader to negotiate best rates for a five-year period. Staff said there could be as much as $60,000 savings per year on electric costs.
“It is time for us to look at this,” said Churchill. “Our current contract expires in 2018.”
Staff recommended Energy Associates International (EAI) be given the contract.
Councillor Ben Armstrong commented that no alternative solutions had been presented to Council, but staff assured him they had researched the various companies and EAI offered the best deal for services provided.
When asked if the county’s plan to set up solar energy collection in the future would provide a problem with EAI, staff replied that it would not be a problem.
On the recommendation by staff, council approved to retain EAI to manage their energy procurement, with all services to be provided by the company for a two per cent fee on the county’s energy consumption rate.