def #196 09/23/09
AUCTION FOR ELECTRICITY POSTPONED TO OCTOBER
TOMS RIVER - A reverse online auction to purchase electricity scheduled for today (Sept. 23) has been postponed
to Oct. 15 because of current market conditions and related electric deregulations occurring in Ohio.
“Based on the advice of our energy consultant, PMK, we have postponed the date of the auction,” said Ralph B.
Patterson, director of Management and Budget/Purchasing for Ocean County. “By holding off on the date we believe we will
have a more successful auction then if we held it today.”
Ocean County hopes to lock into a competitive price for electricity through a reverse online auction.
“This is the type of program that not only has the potential to save Ocean County money but also many of our
municipalities and affiliated agencies,” said Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the
county’s Purchasing Department.
During a recent presentation by PMK Group, which serves as the county’s energy consultant, the Ocean County Board of
Freeholders were walked through the steps the county will take in order to participate in the reverse online auction for
electricity.
“We have used this method in the past to secure competitive rates for natural gas which we used to heat and fuel our
buildings,” said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the county’s Department of Buildings and Grounds.
“If postponing the auction provides us with better rates then we will take that action.”
“We are optimistic we will do well in October,” Vicari said.
The results of this auction are expected to provide benefits to Ocean County along with more than 42 Ocean County towns
and agencies affiliated with the municipalities and the county that make up the membership of the Ocean County Energy
Cooperative Pricing System Membership.
World Energy, the state’s approved online auctioneer, will conduct the auction.
Patterson noted the online bidding is being termed a reverse auction because the county is seeking the lowest price,
while during a traditional auction individuals or companies are generally looking to garner the highest price.
The auction was also a recommendation of the county’s Sustainable Energy Master Plan, which was completed last year.
Vicari, who is overseeing the implementation of the energy master plan, noted that it’s important to tap into as many
opportunities as possible when it comes to energy savings.
“By implementing the natural gas auction, the total auctions generated savings were more than $165,000,” Vicari said. “It
is always important to use the most cost effective measures available to us, our agencies and municipalities.”
