Local energy news has been chaotic and confusing these past two years, shining a light on the importance of consumer protection and the impacts of the high cost of energy. With New York’s emission reduction goals and the opportunities for all utility customers in mind, it is important to address persistent confusion surrounding energy decisions.

During this time, Joule Community Power’s community-based renewable electricity program, Hudson Valley Community Power, saved customers more than $7 million in electricity costs and helped avoid 25,000 MT CO2e (metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions) between July 2021 and July 2022.

The Joule program unfortunately came to a halt in July 2022 when the selected supplier, Columbia Utilities, broke its contract and ceased serving customers, despite continued advocacy and legal action by Joule against Columbia, in coordination with eight of the partner-municipalities and two local residents. The Public Service Commission (PSC) supported these actions and has opened an investigation of their own. The PSC also investigated Central Hudson’s billing system errors and confirmed what we all already knew, namely that Central Hudson’s billing issues were not caused by Hudson Valley Community Power and are significantly more widespread. Joule continues to act for the community members, supporting the State’s investigation by advocating on behalf of consumers and supporting the development of solutions.

Meanwhile, the Joule program protected customers from market volatility by providing fixed electricity supply rates. After Columbia’s breach of contract and after saving customers the collective $7 million, customers were simply returned, with no interruption in service, to the original opt-out arrangement whereby Central Hudson makes the electricity supply decisions, which is predominately from non-renewable sources.

What’s next? Joule is taking the needed steps to offer Hudson Valley Community Power municipalities a new electricity supply contract this Spring. Currently 13 cities, towns and villages are taking the steps which will enable them to contract a new protective electricity rate for their residents and small businesses, with the opportunity to continue to save residents money while strengthening consumer protections. Municipal leaders continue to act to protect their residents and move towards a cleaner energy future.