News Flash

The Town of Red Hook is pleased to announce the launch of Hudson Valley Community Power, a new Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that allows us to pool local electricity demand with other Hudson Valley municipalities to provide low cost, fixed-rate electricity supply including a 100% renewable option.

For more information log onto www.hudsonvalleycommunitypower.com

or call (845) 859-9099

View Supervisor's Memo:  /DocumentCenter/View/1528 

Or come to one of the info sessions Tuesday, November 26^th at 7pm or Saturday, December 7^th at 11am.

FAQs

What is a CCA?

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a program that puts control of choosing energy supply in local hands. It is a municipal model for procuring energy that replaces the utility as the default supplier of electricity for virtually all homes and businesses within a jurisdiction. By pooling demand, communities gain the pricing power necessary to negotiate a more favorable fixed-rate with private suppliers. More than five million customers nationwide are served by CCA programs in seven states including dozens of communities in New York.

What happens to my relationship with Central Hudson if I get power though the CCA?

Nothing. Central Hudson is the energy distribution utility for our region. We pay them to maintain the electricity distribution system and make sure our homes and businesses are connected to the electric grid. Central Hudson electric lines will continue to provide you with power and they will continue to send you a bill for the energy that you use (regardless of the energy supplier). There will be no disruption to your energy service.

What will this cost me?

There is no cost (or contract) to be part of this CCA program or to opt out. The fixed rates negotiated by the program’s administrator on behalf of the 10 Hudson Valley municipalities is comparable to the average of the variable rate paid by Central Hudson customers*.

Rates

*18 month average rate as provided by the program administrator for Spring ’18- Fall ‘19

**Central Hudson supply rates during the period ranged from $0.039/kWh to $.091/kWh

 *** Average residential use of 600kWh per month based on a sampling of Red Hook homes

Will I receive two bills?

No. You will continue to receive one bill from Central Hudson.

Will this impact my budget plan?

No, your budget plan will remain intact. There will be no change to the way Central Hudson calculates your budget plan amount, except to reflect the program’s fixed supply rate.

I’m enrolled in a utility bill assistance program (i.e., HEAP) - what happens to me?

Nothing, you will remain on HEAP and there will be no change to your energy supplier. You will not be included in the CCA program.

I need help paying heating bills…

Programs exist to help for paying for utilities and heat:

HEAP provides assistance to eligible households, https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ 

Solar for All, a New York State utility bill assistance program, https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/NY-Sun/Solar-for-Your-Home/Community-Solar/Solar-for-All)

EmPower New York, provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions to income-eligible New Yorkers, https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/EmPower-New-York

Do I have to get my power through the CCA provider?

No, you have the right to choose.

Do nothing and by default, you will receive fixed rate (18-month), 100% renewable energy (from NYS hydro-electric plants)

Choose the standard fixed rate option (18-month) and receive electricity primarily generated by fossil fuels or nuclear

Opt out of the program all together and continue to receive variable rate electricity through Central Hudson’s providers

Choose another third-party energy provider.

There are no contract, entrance, or exit fees for consumers of the renewable or standard fixed rate options. If opting out, please contact Hudson Valley Community Power program hotline at (845) 859-9099 by December 15, 2019.

How do I switch to the standard option or opt out of the program all together?

Return the “Opt Out Reply Card” recently sent to you with the letter from the Town announcing the program, OR

Call the Hudson Valley Community Power program hotline at (845) 859-9099, OR

Go to www.HudsonValleyCommunityPower.com and submit your information through the Enrollment/Change Form under “CCA” in the navigation bar.

I joined the Red Hook Community Solar Array can I do this to?

Yes! Do nothing and you will be enrolled in the default 100% renewable energy supply program. 

I lease/own solar panels, can I be a part of this program?

Most likely. This program will only replace your energy supplier not your relationship with Central Hudson as the energy distributor. Check a recent Central Hudson bill, on page 2 it lists your energy supplier, if it lists a provider other than Central Hudson than you already have a third-party provider and you will not be enrolled in this program.

But, I already have a third-party energy supply company…

If you have a contract with an energy provider other than Central Hudson, then this program will not affect you. The CCA is only applicable to those without a specified third-party energy supplier.

I own a business, how does this affect me?

Most small businesses are eligible for this program, please call the Hudson Valley Community Power program hotline at (845) 859-9099 for more information.

How do I find out more about CCAs?

Please visit the following websites for more information:

NYSERDA CCA Toolkit - https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/Clean-Energy-Communities-Program-High-Impact-Action-Toolkits/Community-Choice-Aggregation

Hudson Valley Community Power - https://www.hudsonvalleycommunitypower.com/faq

Call the Hudson Valley Community Power program hotline at (845) 859-9099 or attend one of our information sessions.