“Electricity costs are a large budget
item for SMU each year and they have risen
approximately 150 percent over the past five
years,” said James Koons, Associate Vice
President for Campus Planning and Plant
Operations at SMU. “Through this agreement,
SMU is insulated from such rising costs for
the next 10 years. This allows SMU to plan
and budget with more certainty.”
According to Michael Paul, SMU's Director
of Energy Management, “Cirro Energy Services
helped SMU find access to inexpensive
long-term wholesale electricity supply,
and managed the entire process for identifying
and selecting the retail electric service
provider.”
In addition to advising SMU
on the long-term power supply arrangement, Cirro Energy
Services also provides SMU with demand-response service
programs that yield significant energy cost savings to SMU.
“Universities, school systems and hospitals have struggled
with budgeting and planning their energy costs due to volatile,
upward trending energy prices,” said Cirro Energy Service
president, Michael A. Cozzi. “The Cirro Energy Services
team is adept at understanding client needs, and turning
those needs into innovative electric product structures and
demand-response programs that help clients save money. The
agreement with SMU demonstrates our ability to provide
significant value in terms of price certainty, risk
management, and thus better budget management.”
David Pfeifer, Managing Director of C&I Electric for Integrys
Energy Services, Inc., the general partner of Integrys of
Texas, noted, “Large users of electricity need supply partners
with innovative ways to stabilize their electricity costs whenever
possible. With our experienced staff, coupled with our financial
and operational strength, that's exactly what they get. We're
proud to be SMU's supplier of choice, and we look forward to
building on that partnership in the coming years.”
Michael Paul said, “In addition to the efforts on long-term power
supply, SMU has also made major efforts in enhancing the energy
efficiency of the campus and being more environmentally responsible.
SMU completed several important environmentally responsible
initiatives on the campus including pursuing LEED® certification
of the new J. Lindsay Embrey Engineering Building, and joining
the Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership
resulting in acquisition of 3 percent renewable energy credits.
SMU also made several major upgrades to the campus utility
infrastructure that enhances energy efficiency. The next
phase at the main campus will include a performance contract
focused on further energy efficiency enhancements.”
About Cirro Energy Services
Cirro Energy Services, an affiliate of Cirro Energy,
brings a new, smarter approach to energy consulting
services. Led by a team with successful experience
in deregulated energy markets, Cirro Energy Services
is founded on the principles of delivering superior
client service and savings. Cirro Energy is a retail
electric provider in Texas with a customer-focused
and service-oriented approach towards providing utility
services -- including electricity, telecommunications and
Internet access -- to residential and business customers
across Texas. For more information, visit
www.cirroenergyservices.com or
contact Scott Black at
(214) 520-3430.
About Integrys Energy Services
Integrys Energy Services of Texas,
LP is wholly owned by Integrys Energy
Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG). Integrys Energy
Services of Texas, LP delivers unsurpassed
value to its customers throughout the
deregulated areas of Texas by providing
unique, diversified, cost-effective energy
supplies and services. Its experience in
the industry, its financial strength and
its long-term relationship with numerous
producers and suppliers enhance its ability
to operate at this level.
Contact:
TimePiece Public Relations
Scott Black, 214-520-3430
sblack@timepiecepr.com
