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Rhinebeck board discusses Community Choice Aggregation MOU; sets Feb. 11 follow-up and asks administrator to present pricing
Summary
The board discussed joining a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) through a nonbinding MOU, reviewed timing and pricing windows, and requested Jewel (administrator) to present pricing at the Feb. 11 meeting so the board can set a ceiling before the Feb. 13 MOU deadline.
The Village of Rhinebeck board held an extended discussion about participating in a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) and the nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would commit municipalities to a maximum supplier price ceiling.
Board members said the MOU must be signed by Feb. 13 and that pricing indications will be available around the board’s Feb. 11 meeting; final bids from suppliers will arrive on Feb. 19 and hold only for one day. Gary explained that signing the MOU authorizes staff to accept pricing on the board’s behalf that falls below a pre-set ceiling; he said the board must set that ceiling at the Feb. 11 meeting to allow a same-day decision on Feb. 19 if prices are favorable. “If we’re under our maximum…we're in,” Gary said.
Jewel, the proposed CCA administrator, earlier provided indicative ceiling suggestions (12¢ per kWh for 100% renewable, 11¢ for a 50% New York-based renewable option). Board members asked for more data comparing typical Central Hudson utility bills and the net effect on customers given delivery charges that are not part of the CCA supply price. One board member summarized the trade-offs: participation can lock in a renewable supply price but might not reduce total customer bills because distribution/delivery charges remain with the utility.
The board did not vote on signing the MOU at this meeting. Members asked to have Jewel present on Feb. 11 with pricing detail and suggested the board set a not-to-exceed ceiling at that meeting; if bids returned on Feb. 19 at or below the ceiling, authorized village staff could accept them without calling a special meeting because of the single-day pricing window.
