Residents and businesses in Columbia in Howard County could see an 8 percentreduction in their energy bills.
The Columbia Association has selected Columbia-based consultant CQI Associates LLC to form an energy cooperative.
“We?re confident to say we have been the front runner in Maryland with these kind of groups. It?s going to help the residents,” said Melissa Anderson, a co-owner of CQI. “The bottom line is we will be an advocate for them. It?s going to jump start competition.”
However, this savings would not be added to the county?s effort to seek a cooperative that could result in 15 percent to 20 percent reduction in utility bills, said Howard County Council Member Kenneth Ulman, D-District 4.
Residents and businesses can sign up for the cooperative in which the CQI will purchase energy in bulk. The first wave will focus on businesses and residents will follow.
“This is an option people can choose. But why someone wouldn?t choose it, I wouldn?t understand ? it?s going to save people money,” said Tom O?Connor, Columbia Association board chairman.
If the 33,000 eligible residents ? those who pay membership fees to the association ? choose to participate, they would be the largest group with which the company has worked.
“The more people, the more incentive we will have to get more suppliers to compete. We can bring down competitive pricing,” said Michael Anderson, a co-owner.
CQI will be busy negotiating with four energy suppliers in the next six weeks, as it anticipates state legislative decisions relating to the energy deregulation.
If legislators nix the deregulation, the company will not form the cooperative for Columbia.
History of CQI Associates
CQI Associates LLC was chosen to form a cooperative for Columbia Association residents and businesses. The company has created 40 similar programs in 15 states and holds contracts with the Howard CountyPublic School System and Archdiocese of Baltimore. It has purchased about $100 million of energy, according to its Web site, cqiassociates.com.
