For the past two years the Village of Upper Nyack, with a number of other communities in Rockland and Westchester Counties, has participated in a community coalition to purchase “green” electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, water, etc.). People who participated in the program paid less per kilowatt than the O&R standard rate; and as much as half the price of a kilowatt from companies specializing in “green” energy. Overall, residents of the communities, who participated, saved an aggregate of $9.3 million.
You recently received a letter from Rockland Community Power (RCP) and the company administering the program, Joule, noting that as of November 1, 2022 the program is ending and you will be “rolled over” to O&R as the supplier of your electricity. This has occurred because no electricity suppliers were willing to guarantee a two-year price from renewable sources (or any sources for that matter) due to the current volatility of energy prices. That letter also states that RCP/Joule expects to put out another request for suppliers to bid on supplying clean energy, with an anticipated restart of the program in April 2023.
We are writing to remind you that if you are a participant, you are under no obligation to stay with O&R as your electricity supplier when the “roll over” occurs. You are free to select a different electricity supplier from O&R’s list of state-approved suppliers at: https://documents.dps.ny.gov/PTC/zipcode/10960.
Or, of course, you can remain with O&R if that’s your choice.
We know that at times this program has caused some confusion. However, the program has saved many consumers on their energy bills and the Village has voted to remain a community participant. The program has been so successful that the number of communities participating has doubled, representing well over 43,000 households.
If you have any questions, please email the Village at village.clerk@uppernyack-ny.us and we will do our best to provide you with clear, concise information.