Narberth Borough Council on April 17 voted unanimously to authorize the borough manager to renew the borough’s contract with IGS Energy, giving the manager discretion over contract length and timing to secure favorable market rates while monitoring the progress of a potential community choice aggregation (CCA) program.

Borough Manager Maggie explained that IGS staff recommended locking rates now to take advantage of currently low energy prices but warned that an active CCA could make a borough-level contract redundant. “If we renew with IGS and we start the CCA, any energy purchased under the contract would be liquidated at termination,” Maggie said, summarizing the procurement risk and the rationale for manager discretion on duration.

Council’s motion (as amended) authorized the manager to negotiate renewal terms based on price and length and directed staff to coordinate with the solicitor and CCA consultants to time any renewal so the borough can minimize termination exposure.

Why it matters: Renewing now could secure lower utility rates for borough facilities, but a forthcoming CCA (regional program under review by the Public Utility Commission) could supersede a municipal purchase and create liquidation or termination exposure. The council’s delegation is intended to balance price opportunity with program risk.

Next steps: Manager’s office will consult with the solicitor and the CCA team on timeline, obtain market recommendations from IGS, and report back to council before executing a renewal if material terms change.