Commissioners award county electric supply contract to Constellation New Energy for 42 months

The Carbon County Board of Commissioners voted to award the county's electricity supply contract to Constellation New Energy for a 42-month term at a rate recorded in the motion as 0.09723 per kilowatt-hour.

A consultant who led the county's online supplier auction told commissioners the procurement ran an initial bid and then a final online bidder auction; participation was strong and the consultant said the "42 month" term produced the lowest price among the three terms evaluated. The consultant said Constellation, the incumbent supplier, submitted the winning 42-month price and that contracting with the incumbent may reduce legal paperwork because an existing contract had already been reviewed. The consultant also said Constellation had offered to seek a waiver of a June capacity charge that was approximately $2,400, though the waiver was not guaranteed and would be handled separately.

"The fact that they actually won that term, and have the lowest price in addition to potentially being able to waive that cost, I don't see a reason why we would go to another supplier," the consultant said in describing the recommendation.

Commissioners moved to amend the agenda to add the award item, then voted to accept the 42-month proposal from Constellation New Energy at 0.09723 kilowatt-hour. The motion carried by unanimous voice/roll-call.

County staff said the contract is expected to start with the July metering date and that an e-signature-executable agreement would be prepared while the board awaited final paperwork. Staff also noted the auction and contract timing were coordinated to align with market conditions and meter dates.