#GreeningTheGrid - October ESCO and Subscription Solar Update

Note: To power your home with renewable energy, see the most recent Subscription Community Solar chart and FAQ: and 100% Renewable Electricity chart.

​By Gerri Wiley, HeatSmart volunteer and Energy Navigator

Happy October, Green Beings!
I want to call your attention to two important items:

1)      As you know, over the past year, I have not been able to find a second ESCO to add to the ESCO chart.  ECA’s Renewable Plan is the sole ESCO meeting my criteria of the average 12-month price being less than 2 cents per kWh higher than the utility fossil-nuclear mix price, ethical marketing practices, verifiable REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) purchases in New York’s NYGATs database, and few or no complaints submitted to the Public Service Commission or Better Business Bureau. While some people would prefer that ECA's renewable plan did not include biogas in its electricity mix, many realize that capturing landfill biogas is better than allowing methane to escape into the atmosphere. However, starting this year, New York’s Climate Action Council will not allow biogas to be defined as renewable. Therefore, ECA’s renewable plan will consist of wind and hydroelectric, no biogas. The ESCO chart (linked above) will continue to say biogas, wind, and hydro until the 2021 NYGATS verifies ECA’s purchased RECs. If you need further clarification on this, let me know.

2)      If you are subscribed to a solar project and receive solar credits on your utility bill, please look at your bill each month to ensure that the solar credits are not zero. If they are zero or surprisingly low, call your subscription solar company to report and resolve this issue.

I’m always happy to answer questions and help you find ways to reduce your energy use and costs and to offer ideas and resources to decarbonize your home or small business.