Clarksville hears supplier pitch to lock natural‑gas prices as market dips

Amber Mills of Constellation Energy told council members the company supplies roughly 20 town meters — about 8,400 decatherms of annual volume — and described options to fix the town’s natural‑gas price ahead of the coming heating season.

Mills said forward market pricing offers a chance to reduce the town’s supply cost versus recent experience. "The last 12 months, that average price has been $6.83," she said, and she cited a one‑year forward quote shown in her presentation of "$4.03" (as stated in the slide deck). She explained Constellation can quote fixed terms from 12 months up to five years and described how invoices would show each service location’s forecasted volume multiplied by the fixed rate, with over‑ or under‑usage settled at market on the invoice.

Council members asked how long a contract could be fixed and how billing would look. Mills reiterated that she could fix terms up to five years but that the 12‑month strip provided the lowest near‑term price. Staff asked to confirm the list of the roughly 20 accounts to ensure no inactive or "ghost" meters were included before any authorization. The presentation closed with staff recommending further review and a possible request to authorize the manager to sign a contract at a future meeting after account verification.

Provenance: topic introduced SEG 049; discussion and Q&A continue through SEG 455.