Milford aldermen approve 4-year fixed-rate electricity contract with Constellation

Milford — The Board of Aldermen unanimously authorized a four‑year fixed‑rate electricity supply agreement between the City of Milford and Constellation New Energy Inc., following a consultant-run solicitation the city described as an RFQ-style commodity bid.

Public Works Director Saleh and consultant John Abella of RJT Energy described the bid process and criteria used to evaluate suppliers. Abella said the contract reflects market conditions and that the supply rate is roughly 2.8¢ per kilowatt-hour higher than the city’s current contracted rate: “the dollar or the cents amount is going to be approximately 2.8¢, increase on that unit price per kilowatt,” he said.

Abella and staff said the consultant process accounts for more than price — it also screens suppliers for solvency, protects the city’s ability to participate in on-site generation and virtual net‑metering, and consolidates billing across roughly 227 city accounts. Some aldermen questioned why the city used an RFQ-style solicitation rather than a traditional RFP; officials responded that commodity markets for electricity use different procurement approaches and that the process used was compliant and intended to protect the city.

Officials noted that the city’s past third‑party supply contracts have produced multi-year savings compared with default utility generation rates. The authorization included delegates for the mayor, finance director and public works director to complete necessary steps to effectuate the agreement.