POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie is the first governmental entity in New York to fully sign on with Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). Over 70 municipalities have adopted local laws authorizing CCA. Poughkeepsie did so in December.
Hudson Valley Community Power formally launched as a CCA on May 14.
Jeff Domanski is the local program manager for Hudson Valley Community Power.
“It’s a perfect storm, if you will, about community right now,” Domanski said during Monday night’s common council meeting. “There’s a lot of noise happening. There’s technical details and there’s policies from the state, but sometimes, a perfect storm comes together and creates a calm. And this is that moment of calm when good leaders strike out and lead people to what they want.”
Councilman Matthew McNamara has some doubt about treading into new territory.
“I have a budget that is very tight. I have a budget with Central Hudson and I pay every month, and if one thing in my budget goes wrong, I’m in a tailspin.” McNamara said. “So, I am all for green energy. So, I’m really wanting assurance that my budget is not going to be affected by making this switch.”
CEO Mike Gordon said with a CCA, there is better stability.
“The only difference is that with Central Hudson, the price per month is unpredictable. So that if the price ends up going up substantially, they’re going to change your budget payment.”
Gordon said the CCA price is fixed for two years.
Mayor Robert Rolison did not comment on the CCA transition during Monday night’s meeting but issued a statement in May.
“Lowering electric rates while at the same time sourcing 100 percent of our energy from renewable sources, is a win for everyone who participates and a win for the environment,” Rolison wrote. “New collaborations with our neighboring communities is a win for the entire region.”
According to the May statement, as of July 1, 2019, the default energy supply in the City of Poughkeepsie will be 100 percent renewable, sourced from New York State clean energy facilities.
