CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Clarion County expects to save $30,000.00 per year over three years with a new contract with COSTAR as electric supplier following approval at last week’s meeting of the Clarion County Commissioners.

Champion Energy Services of Texas holds the county’s three-year current energy management contract.

“We anticipate a reduction of $30,000.00 per year over three years in electricity rates,” said Commissioner Chairman Ted Tharan. “One more good thing about COSTAR.”

Budget Director Rose Logue said that new budget for 2019 should reflect a 25 percent reduction in electricity costs.

Adding to the anticipated saving, costs associated with the current provider should also provide some savings.

“COSTARS did an audit of our electricity usage and discovered Champion was charging us Pennsylvania sales tax, and Clarion County is exempt,” said Logue. 

“After some research about bills paid, the county reached out through Champion, and it agreed to refund for paying sales tax on the three-year contract.  In total, we are getting from them over $6,000.00 from Penelec and what we are supposed to be getting back from West Penn is over $19,000.00.” 

“We got back $25,000.00 just because the earlier statement classified it as a “bill ready” charge instead of state taxes.”

COSTARS is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program.