POUGHKEEPSIE – Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), is a policy that empowers local governments to determine the source of electricity and/or natural gas supply on behalf of its residents and small businesses, reflecting local resources.
The Poughkeepsie Common Council signed on in a unanimous vote Monday night.
Second Ward Democrat Sarah Salem, a newcomer on the council, authored
the legislation.
“By enacting this enabling legislation, we’re committing
to a path toward becoming a climate-smart community,” Salem said.
“We yield a more direct influence on our high utility costs.
We’re allowing our residents to exercise more local control over
their energy resources. All, while we’re stimulating our engagement
in clean energy practices that will increase the percentage of local renewables
in our fuel mix and, most of all, we’re giving ourselves choice
over our power.”
Other council members were enthusiastic in endorsing CCA.
According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) CCA allows local governments to work together through a shared purchasing model to put out for bid the total amount of electricity and/or natural gas being purchased by eligible customers
The resolution is not binding on any customer. There is a provision allowing anyone to opt out of the program.
Central Hudson will continue to administer billing.
There are some steps the city needs to take to put CCA into place, including appointing or hiring an administrator. City Manager Marc Nelson said he likely will issue a request for proposals.
