Save Money through Group Purchasing

Save Money through Group Purchasing

Dear Member:

The New Jersey School Boards Association and its partners in the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (ACES) began a natural gas purchasing program last year and want to encourage all public school districts to participate.

The NJSBA, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials and the New Jersey Association of School Administrators have successfully undertaken the group purchase of electricity and natural gas for more than 400 school districts. In addition to the electric program that was launched in 2000, we began a natural gas purchasing program last year already with more than 260 member districts.

Through group purchasing, we bring extra buying power to the market. We use a unique electronic purchasing system which allows us to lock in quickly a significant benefit in today’s volatile energy markets.

The New Jersey Legislature recently recognized ACES in its School District Accountability Act. The law states that, as a condition of receiving State aid, a school shall “participate in the Alliance for Competitive Energy Service (ACES) Program offered through the New Jersey School Boards Association, unless the district is able to demonstrate to the commissioner that it receives goods or services at a cost less than or equal to the cost achieved by participants in the program.”

For further information, read the questions and answers under the “What’s New” section of NJSBA online. If you have additional questions or would like to join ACES, e-mail program administrator Carol Friedman or call her at (732) 296-0770.

Edwina M. Lee
Executive Director