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Rye Brook renews community choice aggregation at 100% renewable, board directs stronger opt‑out communications
Summary
Trustees approved continuing the village’s participation in the Sustainable Westchester community choice aggregation program at a 100% renewable supply option, and asked staff to step up communications that explain opt‑out mechanics and program tradeoffs.
The Rye Brook Board of Trustees approved a one‑year renewal of the village’s Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) participation with Sustainable Westchester, selecting the 100% renewable energy option and directing staff to improve communications that explain how residents can opt out.
The resolution authorized the mayor to execute an energy‑services agreement with Sustainable Westchester and to continue participation in the Westchester Power CCA program, subject to final attorney review. Board members debated whether to select the 50 percent or 100 percent renewable option; several trustees said they support the environmental goal of maximum renewable usage but stressed that residents should understand potential cost implications and be given clear opt‑out instructions.
Don (trustee) said he was “bouncing back and between the 2 extremes of a 100% or nothing” and favored the 100% option if residents want maximum environmental impact; Tom (trustee) emphasized the value of educational programs such as Solarize and said the CCA preserves the option for residents to choose. Board members noted the program is voluntary and that Sustainable Westchester supplies the opt‑out mailings, but several trustees urged the village to do its own outreach — mailers, website content, social media and an email blast — so residents clearly understand how to opt out and how the CCA compares to Con Edison supply costs.
The board motioned to renew participation at the 100% renewable level and added an instruction that staff “double down on communicating as best as possible” about opt‑out options and comparative cost information. The motion passed unanimously: Trustee Epstein, Trustee Heizer, Trustee Krom and Mayor Klein recorded yes votes.
Trustees also noted the agreement is for one year; bids and final rates will be available next month and the board said it will reassess the program after the new bid results and the Con Edison rate‑case outcome. Staff said roughly 2,300 Rye Brook accounts remain enrolled through the current program unless residents have opted out.
