Community choice programs empower municipalities to access cleaner and cheaper electricity on their own terms.
What is Community Choice?
Community choice aggregation (“community choice” or “CCA”) enables municipalities to join together to aggregate the buying power of residents and dictate the terms of how they buy electricity. By pooling local demand, municipalities can negotiate more favorable terms, designate preferred generation sources, select a default energy service company for the community, support local renewable generation, and deliver the benefits of solar or other renewables to entire communities.
Benefits
CHOICE
The municipality designates its default energy offering and chooses the mix of renewable electricity options, shifting control away from the State to the local authority.
LOW RATES
Competitive bids for energy offerings.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Contracts are fully vetted. Implementation plans are reviewed and approved by the NY State Department of Public Service. No termination fees.
LOCAL BENEFIT
Supports local renewable electricity generation.
How It Works
A program administrator works with participating municipalities and local organizers to identify program priorities and solicit proposals from qualified energy supply companies and community solar project developers on behalf of community residents and small businesses. A community choice program will only launch when an energy supply proposal meets the cost-saving (and other requirements) identified by the program administrator and participating communities.
Why NY State is Promoting Community Choice
NY State sees CCA as a powerful means to:- Save consumers money
- Expand the use of clean energy sources
- Empower consumers
- Increase consumer protection