Montclair To Hold Public Q&A Session On Energy Purchasing

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Do you still have questions about Montclair’s recent deal to get its electricity from an “energy purchasing cooperative” along with four other neighboring towns?

On Thursday, May 9, the Montclair Office of Environmental Affairs will host an information and question/answer session about the Sustainable Essex Alliance program. The public event will take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue. The presentation will also be live streamed on the Montclair TV34 YouTube Channel.

Last month, the Sustainable Essex Alliance Energy Procurement Cooperative (SEAEPC) announced that the cooperative's energy consulting company, Gable Associates, has identified the winning bidder for electricity generation service in Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Maplewood and South Orange.

• See related article: Deal May Mean Cheaper Electric Bills For 5 Essex County Towns

According to a news release from Montclair Township, Direct Energy Services LLC offered the lowest bid for a 17-month power supply contract.

In Montclair, the deal is expected to translate into a 10% savings on electricity, as compared to projected PSE&G prices, officials previously said.

"Depending on usage, Montclair ratepayers could save approximately $150 over the life of the contract," Gabel Associates Vice President Bob Chilton said. "If an estimated 12,000 township residential accounts participate in the plan, this will bring overall savings to around $1.8 million for this community."

For additional information, visit the SEA Energy Procurement Initiative webpage.

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