Using virtual meetings as a resource, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees is set to address community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs for Long Island communities during its May 20 meeting.
In compliance with New York State’s social distancing mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, LIPA meetings will be conducted via live streamed teleconferencing. After a public comment period, if LIPA trustees vote to allow CCAs, programs can begin as early as June 1.
Community Choice Aggregation would allow Long Island residents to sign up for alternative energy suppliers. Several Long Island municipalities are considering implementing CCA programs as a way to save money and provide more environmentally friendly energy options.
LIPA is proposing tariff changes to their LI Choice Program to include CCA. At a public comment session on May 4, Javier Barrios, Managing Partner of Good Energy, a CCA administrator in NY State, proposed ideas to improve the LI Choice Program to make it more beneficial for Municipalities that roll out CCA programs to their residents.
Hempstead and Brookhaven communities have been examining the benefits of potential CCA programs. By working with energy consultants, such as Good Energy, CCA programs allow municipalities to pool electricity demand of customers to receive better pricing. Also, CCA programs offer communities the option to purchase power from more environmentally friendly sources, such as solar.
In 2016, the New York State Public Service Commission voted to allow the formation of CCA programs within the state. And many residents in other New York communities have already taken advantage of CCA programs, saved money on electric bills and converted to greener energy-supply options.
Proponents of CCA say that by aggregating with your neighbors, you can gain a competitive advantage in the energy markets. The collective savings for communities could be significant.