#GreeningtheGrid: July ESCO and Subscription Solar Update

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

​By Gerri Wiley, HeatSmart volunteer and Energy Navigator

MAYDAY ALERT #1
While under the administration of MEGA (Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance), residents of five municipalities lost their 100% renewable CCA electricity plans this month!: Village of Owego, Village of Elmira Heights, Village of Horseheads, Town of Union, and Town of Lebanon and are now back with a planet-heating standard grid mix. Long story. I’ll spare you, but feel free to ask.

What to do???
My recommendation is to consider signing up for Energy Coop of America’s 100% renewable plan [100% Renewable Electricity Chart] Although it is a variable plan, the annual average price continues to be just 1 cent/kilowatt-hour higher than NYSEG’s fossil-nuclear mix.

The key to saving money is reducing your energy use wherever and whenever possible.


MAYDAY ALERT #2
Remember those cute young folks knocking on your door, wanting to sign you up for a ESCO for your electricity supply that would save you money over your utility’s default supply?  But then the Public Service Commission got tough on them and the pandemic eliminated this practice for the most-part.
Well guess what, they’re B A C K, this time hawking subscription community solar plans. Many of you have contacted me over the last month, concerned about this practice and wondering about the legitimacy of the companies involved.

I know that YOU know better, but I’m asking you to perform a public service and spread the word to:

• NEVER show the solicitor your utility bill, and
• NEVER sign up for an energy plan offered at your door . Plain and simple.

AND, you have a second opportunity to perform a public service when your visitor arrives at your door by doing the following:

• Listen carefully to what they have to say.
• Ask their name and their company’s name.
• Ask if they have a peddler’s/solicitor’s license from your municipality. If not, report this visit to your local police department.

Thank you for your public service!

It would be helpful to me if you were to let me know as well because I’m tracking this issue. Even if they do have a peddler/solicitor license, I would like to know what they did and said. We need to quickly nip this practice in the bud! 

Meanwhile, visit my July Subscription Solar chart. Solar Farms NY is ‘on probation’ (grey-toned) at this time for two reasons:

1. One of their representatives, who did have a peddler’s license, pressured/bullied a homeowner who was reluctant to sign up. When this was reported, my understanding is that this behavior was not tolerated and he is no longer employed by the company.
2. More than one customer who wished to cancel his subscription solar plan with SFNY was required to stay on the program for more than 6 months as they had not yet used all of the solar credits. [Tip: Ask how a solar company handles cancellation. A wise company will allow the cancellation to be final within 90 days following the request.] I look forward to SFNY’s resolution of this issue.

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