The Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA) PowerOptions energy program reported on Wednesday that it has entered into a second major energy contract with Select Energy Inc. of Berlin, CT. The two-year agreement to supply natural gas to HEFA members extends through Oct. 1, 2003 and is expected to provide Select Energy, the retail energy marketing and services subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, with revenues of $25 million over the length of the contract.

The deal follows a separate agreement inked in June in which the two organizations agreed on a 21-month electricity contract that is currently supplying over 100 HEFA members with power at double-digit savings off the state’s default service rate.

“With the current market for natural gas softening, we believe that there is a window of opportunity now for our members to achieve significant savings over the next two years,” said Robert J. Ciolek, executive director of Boston-based HEFA. “Our electricity program has proven to be extremely beneficial to our members, and we are pleased to expand our relationship with Select Energy on the gas side of the PowerOptions program.”

Select Energy said it currently supplies natural gas to about 50 HEFA members. The new agreement extends Select Energy’s marketing capability to HEFA members in all Massachusetts local distribution company territories. “We have developed a strong working relationship between HEFA, its members and Select Energy,” said Stephen J. Fabiani, vice president, retail sales and marketing for Select Energy. “The PowerOptions program offers tremendous savings for members on both electricity and natural gas.”

The companies said that the PowerOptions program is the first, largest and most successful energy purchasing group in Massachusetts. More information can be obtained by contacting Russ Sylva of Massachusetts HEFA PowerOptions at 617-737-8480, or Select Energy at 888-810-5678.

HEFA is an independent public authority created in 1968 to assist nonprofit health, educational and cultural institutions to borrow funds at tax-exempt rates, providing access to low-cost capital for these institutions.

Select Energy provides electricity, natural gas, and energy services to business and institutional customers through 11 northeastern states from Maine to Maryland.

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