By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — There was a little bit of electricity in the air during the recent Casco Select Board meeting.

Specifically, electricity was involved in three items on the select board’s agenda: the results of an electric audit, the future of the town’s electric vehicle chargers, and another choice as an electricity supplier to the town. 

In a move to save money, the board authorized Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward to sign a 48-month contract with Constellation Energy to provide electricity to the town.

As it stands, the town pays between 16 cents and 22 cents per kilowatt, he said.

Titan Energy, the group that did the free energy audit for the town, also provided a list of electric suppliers and their prices, Ward said. The lowest bid was approximately 10 cents per kilowatt.

“The proposal provides a town [with a way] to stabilize their electrical costs for the next 48 months,” Ward said.

The contract options range from 12 months to 48 months, he said. He recommended the four-year option.  

According to quotes in the select board’s packet that were updated on Tuesday, the four-year (48 months) option would provide savings of $926 per month, which can $11,914 per year.

“Not to get ahead of myself, but we would save more than $44,000 in four years. Also, we will know what the energy costs will be for four years,” Ward said.

Titan Energy conducted the energy audit for the town. One long-term money saver is converting to LED lighting.

“The overall transition to LED lights for all town buildings would costs approximately $50,237 minus incentives of $11,114 for a net total of $39,123,” Ward said.

Unfortunately, because an investment was made, the savings do not materialize right away. The anticipated pay back for the transition to LED lighting would be in 5.8 years, Ward said.

“Staff and I have apprehension about and would not recommend conducting any upgrades to the Central Fire Station until future upgrades or construction is finalized,” he told the board.

For a number of months, the select board has been talking about upgrading the EV chargers in town so that the cost of electricity is paid for by the user rather than the town.

Titan Energy advised the town keep it status quo until grants come out.

“Titan Energy recommended not doing upgrades at this time because there are no incentives. They will give us the information about future federal grants,”

The good news is: It will not cost the town an arm and a leg to pay for drivers who charge their electric vehicles.

Titan Energy “does not anticipate the charges to change. That [cost] should remain fairly consistent,” Ward said.