St. Marys hears AMP briefing on rising PJM capacity costs and local protections

An American Municipal Power representative updated the St. Marys City Council on regional electricity market changes that will push capacity costs higher and explained how the city’s local generation and contract mix limit immediate rate impacts.

The presentation mattered because the PJM capacity market auction and changing load forecasts could raise wholesale and retail electricity prices across the region; the presenter explained what parts of the city’s bill are most exposed and what the city can do to reduce future costs.

The presenter said the city’s wholesale bill has three main components: energy (variable usage costs), transmission (charges to build and maintain high‑voltage lines), and installed capacity (payments to ensure enough power plants exist during peak demand). “This is the other part of your bill,” the presenter said, referring to transmission and…