#GreeningtheGrid: October ESCO and Subscription Solar Update

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

Your monthly update from HeatSmart volunteer and Energy Navigator Gerri Wiley: 

I virtually meet many people seeking to help green the New York State electricity grid, yet missing some key points on how their choice of electricity supply is so influential. The focus this month is on Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)...a powerful tool in greening the grid.

CCA (Community Choice Aggregation) 
        If you live in a municipality that is part of a CCA that chose 100% renewables as its default plan on behalf of residents and small businesses, make sure you are enrolled in that plan. In the Southern Tier, those municipalities are: Town of Union, Village of Owego, Village of Elmira Heights, and Village of Horseheads. Look on your NYSEG bill and/or call Constellation at 1-833-866-9637.
        If you live in a municipality that is part of a CCA that chose a fossil-nuclear mix, opt up to the 100% renewable plan by calling Constellation at 1-833-866-9637. In the Southern Tier, those municipalities are: Village of Delhi, Town of Dickinson, Town of Owego, Village of Newark Valley, Village of Spencer, City of Elmira, City of Hornell, Town of Horseheads, Village of Burdett, Village of Montour Falls, and Town of Canisteo.

Why is this important? Because a CCA's ESCO must purchase New York State-generated renewable energy. The more NYS energy is purchased, the more renewable infrastructure will be built and the quicker we'll meet our goal of 70% renewable electricity here in New York.

What if I don't live in a municipality with a CCA or the price seems too high? That's ok too. You can sign up for one of the two ESCOs on my attached chart. Did I say two ESCOs? YES! I've added Clearview Energy to this month's listing because the price is right and they purchase NYS hydro-electricity to cover kWhs their NYS customers use.