HARTFORD — The legislature appears to be paying too much for electricity, according to an audit of its operations.
If the General Assembly changes its electricity supplier, the legislature's Auditors of Public Accounts estimate, the move could save about $265,540 a year.
The auditors are estimating the legislature will have spent nearly $1.1 million more than necessary when the contract with its current supplier expires next June. This estimate is based on the terms and length of the contract and current rates from other suppliers.
The Office of Legislative Management acknowledged that the current rate is higher than available electric rates from other suppliers. However, it said the current rate was competitive when negotiated three years ago and significant savings have been realized.
The nonpartisan office is the legislature's administrative arm. Its staff oversees the maintenance and management of buildings under the legislature's control — the state Capitol, the Legislative Office Building and its garage, and the Old State House.
According to the audit, the legislature's electric costs totaled nearly $1.1 million in the 2011 fiscal year that ended last June 30 and $1.2 million in the 2010 fiscal year. The review covered those two years.
The Office of Legislative Management reports that efforts to reduce energy consumption have achieved some success in the last four years.
Usage in the Legislative Office Building has dropped 16 percent during this time and the garage experienced a 32 percent drop. The Capitol has seen a 23 percent reduction, and there has been a 10 percent decline at the Old State House.
Three years ago, the Office of Legislative Management agreed to have the governor's budget office and the Department of Administrative Services choose an electric supplier on the legislature's behalf.
The New York City-based Hess Corp. won the contract. It offered a fix rate of 0.1197 cents per kilowatt hour.
The current contract will expire on June 30, 2013. At that time, the Office of Legislative Management will consider using the legislature's purchasing powers to obtain electricity directly from suppliers and for a shorter term.
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