Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr recently released a video to address the concerns of residents regarding a March 4 letter from Constellation Energy.
According to Starr, the letter was sent to utility consumers to inform them that the city was beginning a new natural gas contract term.
"This is part of the aggregation program that the voters decided to have the city do in 2011 to broker a deal to get a bulk rate for its customers," Star stated.
Now, the city must start a new contract, which will last from April 2022 to April 2023, according to Star.
"The city was able to negotiate through our energy brokers thirteen point four cents above the New York Mercantile Exchange commodity price per 1000 cubic feet," Starr said, "The Columbia gas came in came in at sixty two point six eight cents per 1000 cubic feet above the New York Mercantile Exchange."
Despite rising energy prices, which have just reached an all-time high, Starr says that the new rate will result in long-term savings.
Additionally, Star said that customers who would like to benefit from the new rates would not have to do anything.
However, he stated those who would like to opt out must do so within 21 days through mail, phone, or online.
