Electricity initiative won’t cause Texas-like problem

Dear Editor:

A recent article in the Daily Freeman reported some village of Saugerties officials became wary of community choice aggregation (CCA) because of the power outages in Texas and large increases in electricity bills (“Saugerties village officials express caution about electricitybuying program after massive Texas outages,” April 5, 2021).

What happened in Texas could not happen in a New York state CCA program. Here’s why.

New York has strict oversight of its grid operation and is part of a larger regional grid, providing backup if needed. Texas does not. If Texas had a New York-style CCA program, customers would have a guaranteed fixed rate for their electricity bill during the term of the contract with the energy provider. Therefore, the Texas experience is a reason to participate in a CCA.

In a CCA program, both the municipality and the individual retain the ultimate choice of the source that provides their electricity. Municipalities choose the provider, they are not the provider. Locally, New York state’s well-regulated grid delivers the power through Central Hudson’s electrical supply infrastructure and billing mechanism.

Central Hudson’s supply source is an opt-out choice on your bill. If you don’t choose an energy provider, Central Hudson supplies the energy and the rate is not fixed. CCA adds a choice, at a guaranteed rate, from a preferred source in a process overseen by the state Public Service Commission for the consumers’ protection.

Village of Saugerties trustees say they want to hear from constituents regarding CCA. I urge village officials to begin the outreach information already being offered to town of Saugerties residents. The outreach process comes at no cost and with no commitment from anyone.

For more information, call (845) 859-9099 or email info@ HudsonValleyCommunityPower. com.

Marcus Arthur Village of Saugerties