CCA FAQ page

Frequently Asked Questions for Community Choice Aggregation

Updated 7/21/2023

Why did the Town Board do this?

The reason is two-fold. First, a fixed-rate conventional plan can save money for residents over the long haul, and fixed-rates are more reliable for those on fixed incomes than are variable-rates. Second, for those who have the means and the desire to buy renewable energy to help reduce greenhouse gases, this provides an avenue for them to do so affordably.

Why didn’t you make it “Opt-in” by default?

Because that’s not how the State Law that governs CCA works. They must be opt-out by default.

Can I opt-out via email?

Yes. You just need to send an email to info@monroecommunitypower.com with the following information:

What you want done (Opt-out, Opt-in for conventional, renewable, or blended)
The name on your electric bill account
Whether the account is Residential (e.g. your home) or Commercial (e.g. a business)
The address of the property for which you are making a selection
Your pre-enrollment ID (if you have it, if not, it can be looked up)
The best way to contact you (phone or email) if there are any questions

Can I opt-out via phone?

Yes. Call 585-244-0244. If you get a voice mail, leave a message with the following information:

What you want done (Opt-out, Opt-in for conventional, renewable, or blended)
The name on your electric bill account
Whether the account is Residential (e.g. your home) or Commercial (e.g. a business)
The service address of the property for which you are making a selection
Your pre-enrollment ID (if you have it, if not, it can be looked up)
The best way to contact you (phone or email) if there are any questions

Why didn’t you make “Conventional” the default?

We tried. We tried to find a bid that conformed with the CCA Law that had conventional as the default selection. After repeated rebids failed, we were left with the choice: go with this option or do none at all. Perhaps some believe we should have gone with none at all, but we thought the two benefits stated above were worth the hassle of requiring people who did not want or could not afford renewable to have to switch. So, we required that there be a massive communication plan and that opting out or switching to conventional would be as easy as checking a box or sending an email.

When can we opt-in or opt-out?

At any time. If you opt-out prior to August 9^th, then you won’t ever be part of the program unless you later change your mind. If you opt-out after that, you will be switched at the end of the current billing cycle. Similarly, if you initially opt-out, you can later opt-in at any time during the 27-month term of the contract, which starts September 2023. If you opt-in at a later date, you would need to select which plan you want (conventional, 100% renewable, 50%/50% blend) and would be switched in at the end of the current billing cycle. Conversely, if you initially opted-in, you can opt-out at any time and it would take effect at the end of the current billing cycle. And you can opt-in or opt-out more than once – in theory, up to 27 times since that is how many billing cycles there are, but that would not be a recommended course of action.

What is the most affordable option?

The most affordable option is to opt-out initially and then, when the variable rates rise above the fixed-rate conventional option, opt-in and select conventional. Electric rates have risen by roughly 50% over the past three years or so – as such, we fully expect them to continue to rise, which is why we believed locking in for 27 months was important.

How can I know when the variable rate rises higher than the fixed rate?

The Town created a new Email Subscription Category for “CCA Notices and News” – if you go to Henrietta.org/Subscribe, you can check that box and enter your email, if needed, and you will receive a notices about the CCA, including if the Town sees the variable rate rising above the fixed rate.

What happens at the end of the 27 months?

At about the two-year mark, we would go back out to the market to negotiate a new contract. Then we start all over again and you can continue to use CCA or you can opt-out and select some other energy supply company.

If I sent in the opt-out card, am I done?

Yes, assuming by “done” you mean that you are now out. You should receive a confirmation. If you have not received one in a week or two, email (info@monroecommunitypower.com) or call (585-244-0244) to verify they received your card. Be sure to supply your name and service address.

What if I did not receive a packet?

It is possible you missed it, it is possible the mail failed, or it is possible you are in a category of individuals (e.g. those who currently have selected an Energy Supply Company, those who are on a program such as HEAP, or those not served by RG&E) who are not opted-in by default under CCA law. If you want to check whether you should have gotten one, email (info@monroecommunitypower.com) or call (585-244-0244) and tell them you did not receive a packet and want to verify whether you should have. Be sure to supply your name and service address.

Why is no one answering and why 48 hours to call back?

As you can imagine, they’ve been swamped with calls. Most call backs have been the same day or next day. The 48 hours is the maximum.

Will I get another bill besides my RG&E bill if I do this?

No. RG&E will still handle all billing. But your bill will now be broken up into two portions: the Energy Supply Company, which is Constellation NewEnergy, and the Energy Delivery Company, which is RG&E.

Will there be additional charges for not buying from RG&E?

No. Under New York State Law, it would be illegal for RG&E to charge more to deliver electricity from another supplier. However, when the bill is broken out, some people see charges they did not before. They were there. They were just not as prominently displayed.

What if I have a power outage?

RG&E is still your electrical utility company and is responsible for getting electricity to your home. They will still fix the power lines and restore power during a blackout.

Someone told me there’s a fee to opt out – is this true?

No. That person might have been confusing the Smart Meter program, which is completely separate from this. There is no fee to opt out of the CCA, or to opt back in.

What if I am in an apartment complex – am I eligible for the CCA?

If you receive a separate bill for your electric, you may be eligible. If your complex gets the bill for the entire complex, then you would not be eligible.

What is the Town selecting?

The Town is not eligible for the CCA. But if we were, we would select the Conventional Rate because even though we would like to reduce greenhouse gases, we have a fiducial responsibility to spend your tax dollars in an efficient manner. So instead, we are reducing greenhouse gases by upgrading our building lights, street lights, and park lights to LED fixtures through an Energy Performance Contract (EPC). What the EPC allows us to do is do all of the upgrades through a leasing program. The first payment on the lease is not due until the following year and the payments are made through the energy savings from the higher-efficiency lights. Those savings are guaranteed by Centrica Business Solutions who is the Energy Performance Contractor. At the end of the lease, the Town owns all the equipment. The EPC is expected to create additional savings beyond what is used to pay off the lease.

How do I know I am receiving the electricity I purchase?

You are purchasing the power that is then supplied to the grid. Once electricity is on the grid, an electron is an electron. There is no difference at that point between electricity generated by renewable sources or non-renewable sources. But, for instance, if today only 20% of the energy supplied to the grid is renewable and, if thanks to people signing up for renewable energy, 25% of the energy supplied to the grid is renewable, that means we are burning 6.25% less fossil fuel (80% down to 75% is a 6.25% decrease).

What if I received a letter from an electricity supply company or program other than Constellation/Monroe Community Power?

The only electricity supply company/program that the Town of Henrietta has worked with is Constellation/Monroe Community Power. If you are mailing in your opt-out card, be sure that the self-addressed envelope is addressed to Constellation. The opt-out card will have the “Town of Henrietta and Community Choice Aggregation opt-out card” written in the top left-hand corner. If you have received a letter from another electricity supply company or program, be aware that the Town of Henrietta has no affiliation with them and that you are not opted into their program.

Go to https://Henrietta.org/CCA for more information!