Town says contract will cut power costs

WOODSTOCK, N.Y. » The Woodstock Town Board has approved a contract with Natural Power Group that is expected to save the town $450 to $600 per year on electric bills for service to three town buildings.

At a board meeting Tuesday, former Councilman Ken Panza said the company promises a 10 percent reduction in electric costs. Under the agreement, the town will commit to purchasing electricity from Natural Power, but Central Hudson will remain its service provider.

“Central Hudson gives us a credit for that power,” Panza said. “Natural Power then charges us 90 percent of that credit.”

The contract will cover electric bills for the youth center, the public restrooms on Rock City Road, and the supervisor’s cabin on Comeau Drive.

Town officials had been trying to develop a solar electric installation for several years, but were unable to find a location that made it cost-effective.

“The arrangement with Natural Power gives us essentially 95 percent of what we would get with solar net metering,” Panza said. “It’s a hydro-based company, but it’s the same rules (as solar) for distributed generation.”

Town Supervisor Bill McKenna said there needs to be discussion about establishing a program that allows property owners to take advantage of similar electric purchases.

“We need to ... have a bigger conversation,” he said. “The community choice aggregate option is on the table where the town would basically have a local law ... and then engage an electric provider who would come in and be the default power provider for Woodstock.”

McKenna said consumers could be provided with options that reduce costs based on their electric usage.

“People (would) have the option to go with a flexible rate, a flat fixed rate, go with green energy,” he said.