BREA

The city may save $40,000 a year in electric and gas bills by deregulating its utilities if a proposal submitted by City Manager Frank Benest wins approval at tonight’s City Council meeting. The proposal recommends that the city hire a consulting firm, Independent Energy Consulting Inc., to oversee the bidding process of electric and gas suppliers interested in serving the city and determine which ones will save the city money.

If the City Council approves the proposal, the city’s utilities provider will be selected by Oct. 1.