About Us
Our Mission
RenewYorkCity is a mission-based operation in North Brooklyn. Our purpose is to organize local communities to efficiently transition to a clean energy economy.
Our first goal is to leverage Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) to bring renewable energy to entire NYC neighborhoods with competitive rates and price stability for residents and business owners.
We are working with NYC environmental and community groups to build a coalition of support for local enabling legislation.
RenewYorkCity is currently in the process of establishing 501(c)(3) status.
NY Community Choice Aggregation
New York energy markets are undergoing an historic transformation as a result of “Reforming the Energy Vision,” a comprehensive state-wide energy strategy for a more local, sustainable, resilient, and customer-focused electric power system for all New Yorkers.
On April 21, 2016, New York’s Public Service Commission issued an Order Authorizing the Framework for Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Opt-Out Program enabling municipalities to source energy on behalf of their residents and small businesses. With CCA, communities are able to leverage their aggregate buying power to dictate the terms of their supply contracts -- to secure less expensive electricity from 100% renewable sources with price stability.
The NY State pilot CCA program in Westchester has saved approximately 110,000 residents more than $6,000,000 since its inception in May of 2016 while securing the largest renewable energy purchase in state history, saving around 216,000 tons of carbon emissions. Now dozens of additional New York municipalities are pursuing CCA to better serve their residents.
WHY?
Carbon Emissions
Carbon Emissions
Carbon Emissions
Approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity generation. The next 30% comes from transportation which, to be clean, will also depend on renewable energy generation. CCA is a powerful market lever creating enormous demand for renewable energy and so accelerating its development.
The CCA pilot program in Westchester has saved an estimated 216,000 tons of carbon emissions.
"If just 10% of New York’s households choose Green Power for their electricity supply, it would prevent nearly 3 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, 10 million pounds of sulfur dioxide, and nearly 4 million pounds of nitrogen oxides from getting into our air each year. Green Power helps us all breathe a little easier.”
Equity
Carbon Emissions
Carbon Emissions
Contracts secure price stability with fixed rates, protecting consumers, and especially low income residents, from the volatile month-to-month energy markets.
CCA Programs ensure equal access to savings from renewable energy through the opt-out program. Unlike Community Solar, no credit-checks are required. What's more, renewable $ credits are distributed in flat amounts so that residents who consume less will see greater proportional savings.
Municipalities may consider special rates programs or reserving supply product options exclusively for low and moderate income customers.
And a more resilient and clean grid is most impactful in neighborhoods subjected to peaker plant air pollution and brown outs.
Resilience
Savings and Jobs
Savings and Jobs
The electric industry is in transition. Aging grid infrastructure, extreme weather events, increased demand and electricity brown outs, and system security needs are all leading to significant changes in how electricity is generated, distributed, managed and consumed. New York State can lead the way to ensure these trends benefit consumers, whose lives are so directly affected by how they procure energy. The availability of reliable, resilient, and affordable electric service is critical to the welfare of citizenry and is essential to New York’s economy.
Savings and Jobs
Savings and Jobs
Savings and Jobs
Energy contracts can secure savings by requiring that bid prices not exceed the average rate from the previous 3 years. In this way, the CCA Pilot program in Westchester has saved residents more than $6,000,000 since inception in May of 2016, roughly 5-10% compared with their prior rates.
Additional savings AND earnings are made possible through energy efficiency measures, demand management and smart thermostats.
CCA supports development of local renewable energy projects that provide opportunities for local contractors and boost local businesses. And local organizers can set up a local CCA Program Operation and receive funds to run community engagement and customer support.
A short video explanation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is required of residents?
What is required of residents?
What is required of residents?
We hope that residents will take an active interest in their energy future. But nothing is required. All customers currently receiving ConEd's default energy supply will be notified about the Program 30 days before it launches, at which point they will be automatically enrolled. Anyone may opt out at any time without penalty.
Program Funds
What is required of residents?
What is required of residents?
CCA Program Administrators receive a per kWh Administrative fee. RenewYorkCity is a pro bono advocacy endeavor and does not intend to receive any Program funds.
We do hope, however, to empower community groups to work with CCA Program Administrators for their neighborhoods and, as such, receive a portion of the NYC Program funding.
What Does It Cost Us?
What is required of residents?
Who should be the CCA Program Administrator?
Even with all fees included, Program customers should pay less for their utility bills than they have historically and enjoy long-term fixed rates.
NY CCA pilot program customers have saved 5-10% on their energy bills.
Who should be the CCA Program Administrator?
Who should be the CCA Program Administrator?
Who should be the CCA Program Administrator?
Administrators should be selected on the basis of their capability to perform tasks both required by the PSC CCA Order and optional enhanced services, and with consideration of their experience and expertise in energy markets, regulatory process, distributed energy resources, and CCA in New York State.
While different communities will have distinct priorities, we are working with JouleCommunity Power because they are the only administrator working to advance renewable energy, energy efficiency and local resilience. Joule also uniquely partners with local community groups to ensure local engagement and priorities are integral to the project.
NYC will determine its own RFP criteria for evaluating a Program Administrator or Program Administrators for the city.
Who has already implemented CCA programs?
Who should be the CCA Program Administrator?
Who has already implemented CCA programs?
CCA is legal in 7 U.S., 7 states: Massachusetts, Ohio, California, New Jersey, Illinois, Rhode Island and New York.
The NY State pilot CCA program in Westchester has saved approximately 110,000 residents close to $10,000,000 since its inception in May of 2016 while securing the largest renewable energy purchase in state history, saving around 216,000 tons of carbon emissions. Now dozens of additional New York municipalities are pursuing CCA to better serve their residents.
As of March 2018, an additional 60 NY communities have enabled local legislation.
How is CCA good for the environment?
Who should be the CCA Program Administrator?
Who has already implemented CCA programs?
The NY pilot CCA program has already reduced carbon emissions by ~216,000 tons.
CCA Programs soliciting 100% renewable energy must do so through the New York Generation Attribute Tracking System (NYGATS), ensuring that the energy is sources from New York State. Aggregate purchases of clean energy impact market supply and demand.
Further, supply contracts may stipulate that preference be given to new local distributed energy resources (within one's utility district for instance) as they become available, including renewable energy projects and shared renewables such as community solar, energy efficiency, demand response, energy management, and microgrid projects.
Testimonial
Mayor Noam Bramson, New Rochelle
"Community Choice Aggregation has helped cut costs for residents and businesses in New Rochelle, while also facilitating a dramatic shift to renewable energy. They program has enjoyed strong bipartisan support, and has been a big success by every metric."
RE New York City
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