Школа округа Принс-Альберт заключила контракт с Connect Energy для стабилизации цен на природный газ

The price of Natural Gas can be volatile, and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division joined other school divisions in finding a solution to that problem. CFO Greg McEwan updated the board about the issue during their regular meeting on Aug. 17. McEwan said they will need a new contract after their current one expires in October. In May, the board approved joining a multiple school division RFP (Request for Proposal) to achieve the best pricing. The vote came following a presentation by McEwen. Director of education Lorel Trumier said that the multi-division process was a success. “It was constructed in a manner that really would meet the needs of school divisions across the province,” Trumier said. Saskatoon Public School Division has developed the natural gas supply RFP, and has invited other Saskatchewan school divisions to join in the process. The RFP opened on June 11 and closed it on June 18. In response, multiple providers provided multiple options to the 16 school divisions. Each school division will have discretion to choose the contract terms and specifics that work best for the division. Other strategies school division administrators researched included purchasing natural gas directly from SaskEnergy, or signing a contract with a natural gas consultant to develop a stand-alone RFP and evaluate responses. Due to the nature of the rapidly changing price for natural gas, the selection of the natural gas provider, contract term and pricing model will be made after the RFP closes. Because of this, administration requested the board give discretion on the provider, contract term and pricing model. After reviewing pricing options and discussion with fellow CFOs in school divisions taking part, administration made the decision to enter into a contract with Connect Energy. The contract contains an option to fix the price on 25 per cent to 100 per cent of the division’s natural gas volume at any time during the contract. “(It’s) really a credit to the school divisions across the province to work together to get a better rate for our school division,” Trumier said. The contract has the option to be extended beyond Oct. 31, 2027 at the division’s discretion. [email protected]