Local Power LLC
What is the CCA Local Law?
Aggregates energy utility buyers using a local municipal approval. May stabilize and or fix rates for periods of time, and use the platform of customer service to offer new, greener options, and new ownership and sharing options. Some CCA programs involve municipal governments more than others. Many depend upon the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates for their stated policy goals. CCA programs in California have built tens of billions of dollars of new renewables, much of it local. Each of 1800 municipalities doing this has its own idea of why and how. The purpose of this program is to achieve community wide greenhouse gas reduction and resilience goals through this offering, which is made to all residents and businesses of participating cities and towns.
Q: What are the benefits of T-GEN?
A: It provides a municipally vetted default electricity supply and customer eligibility for co-investment in local Distributed Energy Resources with neighbors and/ or municipality, through a locally-run option called Own Your Power. T-GEN offers stable, competitive fixed rates for electricity and gas supply, potential protection against fluctuating seasonal energy pricing, and no contract commitment or fees for Basic Service. However, savings cannot be guaranteed since utility rates. are variable and not known in advance. The primary benefit of this program is making advanced energy systems available to all energy users community wide, to turn all your utility bill payments into personal equity and local energy resilience.
Q: How does T-GEN procure energy?
A: T-GEN administers an open bidding process, soliciting responses from suppliers registered with New York State and the utility.
XXXXXX is the supplier for the current contract, beginning XXXXX, 2025.
Q: How does it work?
A: A program to purchase electricity and natural gas in bulk for consumers in participating area communities. Its goal is to decarbonize power, heat, transportation and muncipal waste through the installation of local, onsite renewable power, heat and or local hydrogen in a cost-effective, consumer-friendly way. It is administered by Local Power LLC, a Western Massachusetts-based company which provides program design and operation services to member municipalities.
Q: Does T-GEN CCA program replace my utility?
A: The Basic Service is for electricity and gas supply only. Your existing utility (NYSEG) will continue to deliver whatever power and gas you still require, and respond to service outages. You have always paid for supply in your utility bill, but now you will see separate lines for the electricity supply (via the City and Town of Ithaca's suppliers) and electricity delivery (via NYSEG).
Q: How can I be sure T-GEN will provide energy reliably?
A: The program is regulated by the Public Service Commission and the “grid operator” (called NYISO) ensures that the proper power is flowing at all times. Your existing utility continues to provide physical delivery.
Q: I’m with an ESCO now - can I switch to T-GEN?
A: Yes, but if you are already signed up with an ESCO, check your existing contract to see when it expires and what (if any) penalties apply for early termination.
Q: What happens if I do not want to participate?
A: It is absolutely your choice. You can opt out at any time by filling out the form enclosed, going online to:
T-GEN@localpower.com or by calling (607) 216-8440.
Q: What is the T-GEN supply?
A: The T-GEN power supply product consists of delivered power matched with NY State hydropower Renewable Energy Certificates
(“RECs”). The majority of participating municipalities have chosen the XXX% renewable power supply product as the default option, helping reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
Q: Why is the program opt-out?
A: The Public Service Commission rules establish “community choice aggregation” programs, such as T-GEN, as the default supply for
participating municipalities. As with traditional utility supply, you are enrolled if you take no action, but you can switch supply options, switch back to utility supply, or to a private ESCO at any time without cancellation charges.
Q: How can I save money on my energy bills?
A: Visit tompkins-GEN.com to learn how you can save money and make a positive environmental impact with the Local Power Own Your Power program. Visit the City and Town of Ithaca tabs at the tope of the page for information on supply terms. Local Power LLC, a Massachusetts Limited Liability Corporation, administers the
program on behalf of participating municipalities. Contact us in the green Customer Service button at lower right.
What does CCA have to do with DER, heating gas, vehicles and waste?
A: In this program, CCA contracts and DER contracts are legally separate, Unlike CCA's OPT-OUT enrollment mechanism, T-GEN's "Own Your Power" service as defined in the City and Town of Ithaca's DER Law and DER Plans, uses an OPT-IN mechanism and requires applications to complete an application process on the tompkinsGEN.com site. Further, whereas CCA is limited to grid electricity and pipeline natural gas service, "Own Your Power" includes renewable replacements for onsite power heat/hot water, and vehicle.