Bedford schedules AMP town hall after council flags high power purchase bills

Town Manager Bart Warner told residents the town purchased power bill from American Municipal Power (AMP) for the most recent month was $2,100,000, down from $3,500,000 the prior month. "Our most recent monthly bill from AMP for our power that the town purchases on behalf of the community, was $2,100,000," Warner said, calling the reduction "good news of a sort."

Why it matters: Bedford buys part of its power through AMP and has at times absorbed a portion of AMP costs rather than passing the full amount to customers; council members said that approach has reduced the town ability to build reserves. Warner said the town will host an AMP town hall on April 14 to explain how power purchasing and long-term contracts affect local rates and to answer residents' questions.

At the March 17 meeting Warner referenced prior comments by Electric Director John Wagner that winter peak months can produce bills near $2,000,000; February matched those figures. Warner said the town joined AMP roughly 20 years ago to access pooled resources and that AMP membership allows Bedford to buy capacity in other projects (including part-ownership in out-of-state generation).

Council previewed an April 7 agenda item in which staff will ask whether the town should acquire up to 3 megawatts of capacity in a natural-gas facility in Loudoun County to improve reliability. Warner said AMP will present details at the April 14 town hall; the presentation will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend.

The town recommends residents attend or watch the AMP session to better understand why bills can spike and what options the council may consider.