Hudson Valley Community Power is a Go
As of April 3rd, 2019, the six communities that have been exploring the program have now officially signed on to proceed with the Hudson Valley Community Power program. The partner communities now include: Beacon, Cold Spring, the Town of Fishkill, Marbletown, Philipstown, and the City of Poughkeepsie.
After months of extensive community outreach and discussions with local authorities, each community has now signed a Memorandum of Understand (MoU), giving Joule Community Power (Joule), the Program Administrator, authority to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) on their behalf.
The RFP is expected to be issued this week, and qualified suppliers will have approximately one month to respond with a proposal. The supplier with the most competitive offer that fits the communities’ criteria will win the bid, with the aim of yielding cost saving benefits to residents of the participating communities no later than July. As Program Administrator, Joule Community’s role includes issuing the RFP and ensuring that the best supplier is chosen, including an increasing amount of truly local clean power as it becomes available.
Once the supplier is chosen, residents will be notified and have an opportunity to opt-out of the Program before it begins, should they wish not to participate. No costs to residents will be required.
Hudson Valley Community Power will be New York State’s second Community Choice program, after the pilot Westchester Power in 2016, which to date has saved residents in 25 communities over $17 million on their electricity bills. The program represents a paradigm shift from a large, utility-centric energy system, towards local energy choice, and will enable communities to make a quick transition towards 100% renewable energy supply.
The buy-in from all six communities will be celebrated at a Happy Hour Launch Party on April 18th at King’s Court Brewery in Poughkeepsie. Tickets are available to everyone, on a first-come first serve basis. Everyone’s first drink is free and the event is being catered by food from Mole Mole Restaurant.