I got a postcard in the mail about this and I’m intrigued. I guess the city is setting up its own electricity supplier? Their proposed rates are in the range of 9¢/kWh for residential customers, which is much cheaper than the 17¢ we’re all paying right now – though, rates usually get lower in the summer anyway, so it remains to be seen how good a deal this is over RI Energy.

I haven’t read much about community choice aggregation, but it seems like a compelling alternative to corporate profiteering if implemented correctly. The city’s page also has a good explainer on the difference between supply costs and delivery costs for electricity, which is helpful for folks not already in the know.

What do you think?

Comments

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D-camchow t1_jamixt6 wrote on March 2, 2023 at 2:30 PM

This is the first I'm seeing of this but it looks like really great news to me. Everyone in Providence is automatically enrolled to the Providence Standard? I haven't gotten any mail about that yet.

sc00p401 t1_jamoy03 wrote on March 2, 2023 at 3:12 PM

If it's cheaper and stays cheaper than RI Scamergy, I'm in.

Flashbulb_RI t1_jan3cuo wrote on March 2, 2023 at 4:47 PM

Always Read GoLocal with some skepticism, but here you go: https://www.golocalprov.com/news/prov-residents-and-biz-are-getting-a-new-electricity-co.-supplier-has-been

iandavid OP t1_jan88z3 wrote on March 2, 2023 at 5:18 PM

Oh good, I’m glad the fine folks at GoLocal took it upon themselves to regurgitate the “Criticism” section of the parent company’s Wikipedia article.

In all seriousness: I’m curious how NextEra relates to “Good Energy”, which is the partner mentioned on the city’s info page. I’d also love to hear more about how the vendor was chosen, what the other options were, etc. All of which are leads I feel like a reputable news source would have chased in the interest of informing the public.

hobomom t1_jamjxqw wrote on March 2, 2023 at 2:37 PM

RIE was 7.8 last summer, but who knows what it will change to in April

iandavid OP t1_jammmui wrote on March 2, 2023 at 2:56 PM

Exactly. Last winter it was 10¢, this winter it was 17¢. I’ll be pretty surprised if it dips back below 10¢ this spring/summer, but we’ll know by the end of March I guess.

Revolutionary_Bit_38 t1_jan1cce wrote on March 2, 2023 at 4:34 PM

Looking like 10.5 ish

fishythepete t1_janvd64 wrote on March 2, 2023 at 7:57 PM

Just because the filed for it doesn’t mean they’ll get it. If prices continue to drop could end up same or lower.

Revolutionary_Bit_38 t1_janvj2h wrote on March 2, 2023 at 7:58 PM

Noted.

cowperthwaite t1_janc5y7 wrote on March 2, 2023 at 5:43 PM

It appears the electric rate if you stick with RI Energy is 9.71 ¢/kWh

"Providence Basic:" 9.151 ¢/kWh

"Providence Standard (automatic)": 9.361 ¢/kWh

"Providence 50": 10.222 ¢/kWh

"Providence 100": 12.321 ¢/kWh

The landing page isn't great but here's the letter they sent out.

https://electricity.providenceri.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Providence-Residential-English-4.pdf

Edit: PBN has a story on this and there is also a thread, in this subreddit, on that story.

https://www.reddit.com/r/providence/comments/11g3nqb/city_to_introduce_providence_community/

iandavid OP t1_jand2fq wrote on March 2, 2023 at 5:49 PM

Thanks for digging that up. It’s a better deal out of the gate, at least.

Is anyone at the ProJo looking into how this deal came about? I gather from other outlets that a few RI towns were involved in setting up the CCA program, so it’s not just a Providence thing. But I don’t think anyone has yet touched on how the vendor was chosen, which would be interesting to hear.

mtnstoseaside t1_japep6z wrote on March 3, 2023 at 2:24 AM

We got one of these postcards in Cranston. We’re in Providence county… Does that mean we have access to this program or just PVD proper?

iandavid OP t1_japqeso wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:58 AM

Good question. In another thread on the topic there was mention of a few towns participating in this program alongside Providence, but it didn’t sound like Cranston was one of them. Maybe you’re close enough to the city to qualify?

Status_Silver_5114 t1_jbzdgbl wrote on March 12, 2023 at 10:10 PM

Anyone already using Greenup with RIE? I'm assuming that would mean dumping them (and the resulting tax deduction you get) or sticking with RIE...I think? RIE's billing is definitely more opaque that NG was - it longer list lists exactly how many solar credits which get (which NG used to "show their work") - it's sketchy.

Jalil29 t1_jaq9kwm wrote on March 3, 2023 at 7:16 AM

The way I see it, as is it is destined to fail. I imagine National Grid/RI Energy will attempt to undercut to kill the program if it's going to damage the bottom line.

Looking at my current bill I'm seeing a 0.17785 charge so even paying the highest rate on the current notification will bring down 0.12321 I'll still be saving money as well as contributing as long as I can afford it.

Only been in RI for 7 billing cycles worth, however so I don't got personal historical data for it.
0.0781 x 2
0.14127498 x 1
0.17785 x 4