Wesley Hills FAQ

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a program in New York that empowers eligible municipalities’ entities such as villages, cities, and towns to create large buying groups of residential and small commercial electricity and natural gas accounts in order to seek bids for cheaper supply rates, essentially bulk-purchasing. CCA programs got their start with the Community Choice Aggregation order passed by the New York State Public Service Commission on April 20, 2016. The purpose of the CCA Order was to ensure that the benefits of energy deregulation were passed onto residential customers and small businesses by providing the ability to “aggregate” their accounts within their municipal boundaries in order to obtain competitive bids from Energy Suppliers (“ESCO”). Grouping residential accounts together create economies of scale, enabling participating municipalities to achieve greater savings for account holders as a whole, in contrast to what could normally have been achieved by the individual customer. More importantly, the CCA construct provides a substantial positive opportunity for meaningful and effective local and community engagement on critical energy issues and the development of initiative programs, products, and services that promote and advance the achievement of the state’s energy goals. CCA programs can educate, encourage, and empower communities and individuals to take control of their energy future through engagement with existing Reforming the Energy Vision for NY (REV) and Clean Energy Fund (CEF) opportunities and development of new distributed energy resources (DER) and clean energy programs.

The key benefit of CCA is the opportunity for residents to save money on their electric and/or natural gas bills. This is based on market conditions and the utility region in which one resides.

If you are agreeable with the terms of the CCA program, then there is nothing to do. Only if you wish to opt out, should you follow the opt-out instructions on the letter you have received. Otherwise, you automatically remain in the program.

First, the municipality voted on and passed a local law authorizing a Community Choice Aggregation program. The municipality then sought bids from ESCOs to obtain competitive electricity rates for participants. A resident is able to opt out of the CCA program without penalty, in most cases, if they so choose.

The impact of Community Choice Aggregation is primarily savings. Participants will see no change in their delivery rate, but a reduction in their supply rate. They will continue to receive a single bill, make one payment, and continue to receive all other services from their utility.

If a customer is already purchasing their power or natural gas from an ESCO, they are initially ineligible to take advantage of the Community Choice Aggregation rate. However, a resident can opt into the CCA program and receive a price reduction, though early termination of a contract with their existing ESCO may result in early termination fees. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your existing ESCO contract.

If you are currently being served by your local utility, you do not need to do anything. You will automatically be included in the program unless you opt out.

No, residents can opt out during a 30-day opt-out period. Opt-out notices are provided via USPS mail prior to the program commencing. Simply return the opt-out notice within 30 days and your account(s) will not be included. Participating account holders may leave the program at any time and without penalty. There are different ways that you can opt out of the program. The easiest way is to call or email us at 866-269-9393 or support@ga-ge.com and indicate that you want to opt out. Opting out can also be done through the program website.

Residents who are enrolled in the program may terminate their participation at any time without early termination or exit fees.

Each residential customer will receive written notification after the bid informing them of the winning supplier price, estimated savings as compared to the local utility, and the account holder’s right to opt out. In addition, after the 30-day opt-out period has ended, each resident will receive a letter from their utility confirming enrollment and that supply service will soon be switched to the winning supplier.

Yes, the CCA Framework order only defines service classes eligible for opt-out enrollment. SC1 and SC2 rate classes are eligible for opt-out.

The secured rate in the CCA program will remain fixed for 17 months for electricity (ending December 2020) and 23 months for natural gas (ending October 2022). During this period, the rate will NOT change. No variable or teaser rates were included in the bid specifications.

23 months.

Yes, you can opt back into the program at any time and you will see the change to your bill after one billing cycle. One billing cycle, or 30 days, will elapse to allow for processing of the account(s) by Great American Gas & Electric.

Service and billing questions will continue to be directed to your local utility. Utility contact information can be found on your bill.

Program details are provided in the Program Summary enclosed with the opt-out package you have received by USPS mail from Great American Gas & Electric (GAGE). You can visit the Village of Wesley Hills website here or you may also contact GAGE at 866-269-9393 or Good Energy at (800) 625-1528.