CESA 5 operates a natural gas consortium designed to help districts buy natural gas.  The consortium currently includes about 30 school districts who buy gas in one of two programs.  Both programs are intended to protect the district from large price fluctuations or spikes.  The two programs are:

1. Natural Gas Transportation
   In this program, the schools elect to become transportation customers and has a telemeter installed at each of the sites they want included.  (Telemeters will be installed by the local utility).  CESA 5 will work with the disrict and a marketing company to purchase gas from the wall head and have it delivered to the school.
   
2. Natural Gas Price Protection
   School districts can chose to purchase some gas through a price protection model completely outside of the utility transportation program.  CESA 5 works with a marketing company to facilitate these purchases.  CESA 5 also works with the district to develop a gas purchasing plan that best meets the district's needs.