PA: SEPTA To Save Millions in Annual Energy Costs Under New Contract

SEPTA has entered into a three-year contract with PPL EnergyPlus (PPL EP), effective December 2013, for the power supply to serve SEPTA’s electric generation requirements.

The contract includes propulsion power for the Broad Street Line subway, the Market-Frankford Line subway/elevated, the Norristown High Speed Line, the Media and Sharon Hill Trolley lines, all six of SEPTA’s City Division trolley routes, and the portion of SEPTA’s Regional Rail serviced by the Wayne Junction Power Substation.

These operations require approximately 400,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. With the assistance of SEPTA’s energy consultant, SourceOne, SEPTA successfully developed a comprehensive strategy for the competitive purchase and management of utility expenses.

In its most recent electricity procurement, SEPTA achieved savings through a competitive procurement process that began with an initial review and vetting of all licensed electricity suppliers in Pennsylvania. Through this process, SEPTA anticipates a reduction in electricity costs of approximately $4 million annually.

“This collaboration with SourceOne has yielded significant savings for taxpayers, and supports our primary goals in providing the most efficient and cost-effective services to our customers,” said Richard Burnfield , SEPTA’s chief financial officer. “Leveraging an energy procurement strategy has been a critical part of our efforts to both save money and better serve the communities and the passengers who rely on us for transportation.”

This recent purchase continues SEPTA’s aggressive energy procurement strategy working with SourceOne.