AASHTO Journal, 20 July 2012
Ohio Department of Transportation has found one small way to save a big amount of taxpayer dollars.
ODOT has selected an energy company to supply service to all ODOT facilities around the state, which is tapped to save millions of dollars each year. Traditionally, ODOT relied on multiple electric providers due to the geographical differences across the state, for which ODOT paid a higher price. In order to curb this cost, ODOT entertained four electric companies’ offers and ultimately chose DP&L Energy Resources for a two-year contract.
ODOT estimates it will save $2 million per year under the new deal and has already committed to shifting that extra money from the operating budget to major new construction projects across the state.
“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 in a statement. “Those are the kind of efficiencies that will help us plug our $1.6 billion budget problem.”
Hoping for similar success, ODOT will begin the process of seeking the same kind of arrangement for natural gas service later this year.