Ohio Department of Transportation
ODOT negotiates lower electric bill saving taxpayers millions 

COLUMBUS (Monday, July 16, 2012) – Continuing a trend of improving efficiency, the Ohio Department of Transportation has, once again, saved millions of dollars and redirected it from its operating budget to major new construction projects around the state.

 ODOT recently selected DP&L Energy Resources to supply electric to ODOT’s facilities around the state, saving the department $2 million annually. 

“With absolutely no cost to taxpayers, we were able to find enough money to pave a 20 mile, two-lane road,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “Those are the kind of efficiencies that will help us plug our $1.6 billion budget problem.” 

In the past, ODOT used many electric providers depending on the geographic area where the ODOT facility was located. Now, one company will provide electrical service to ODOT facilities statewide. 

Four bidders competed to sell electricity to ODOT: AEP, Duke, First Energy, and DP&L. Each submitted prices for 12, 24 and 36 month terms. As a result, ODOT awarded DP&L a 24 month contract. 

The department will begin the process of seeking the same type of arrangement for natural gas service later this year.