Red Hook board leans to let community choice aggregation contract lapse amid volatile energy supply rates

The Town Board discussed the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program and whether to extend the town's current group contract at the higher fixed rates or allow the contract period to lapse and reenter the program later.

The supervisor explained the CCA is an opt-out, bulk procurement option and said bids returned at rates that may reflect seasonal volatility. He reported the Central Hudson supply's ``dirty rate'' was a little over 10 cents per kilowatt-hour in February and about 12 cents for March. He said spring months often show higher supply rates and that energy imports and policy changes make near-term forecasting uncertain.

Board members debated options: extend the contract at current (higher) fixed rates for three to five months to change the procurement cycle, or let the current period expire and seek new bids later. One board member said extending at present rates could leave customers paying above-market prices during the usual summer/fall period; another said the program remains valuable but prices are currently unfavorable. The board expressed a preference to let the contract lapse and re-evaluate later, and the supervisor said staff would monitor market developments and call a special meeting if materially different bids appeared in the next 10–14 days. No formal resolution or vote was taken on March 11.