An energy proposal that would determine whether electric companies across the state are in line for a hefty price increase remains under review in Lehighton.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire revisited discussion on the NextEra energy proposal with borough council at last week’s meeting.

DeWire told council the proposal would result in one year of discounted purchase rates for the borough next year.

But, he noted that in 2026, rates would jump to what they are currently today for the borough to purchase.

From that point on for the next nine years, DeWire said it would result in a small percentage increase in the borough’s energy purchase rates.

After the meeting, he explained “this is not the rate at which we will sell the power to residents.”

“That has not been discussed yet,” DeWire said. “The final proposal will be presented at next month’s meeting for possible action.”

NextEra handles the borough’s purchase power agreement with American Municipal Power out of Columbus, Ohio, where its electricity is sourced.

DeWire said in September that multiple municipalities across the state who supply their own power met in Kutztown to go over the December capacity purchase.

He said at that time that NextEra presented numbers that suggest a 20% increase across the board for all electric companies across the state.

NextEra, DeWire said, is planning to address the spike in costs by trading two years of lower rates in exchange for a three-year extension to their contract.

The contract was originally supposed to terminate in 2032, he said.

After two years of lower rates, DeWire said the hope is to take that additional net revenue and subsidize electricity rate spikes in the near future.

The borough has owned and operated its own electric system since 1943.

The borough is responsible for the distribution system and utility billing.