Whether you’re in the market for an electric plan or an energy provider, there are numerous options in the state of New York. Customers can also make cost-effective energy choices by utilizing innovative market structures. The Orange and Rockland also offers many programs that can help reduce your energy costs.
The New York State Department of Public Service offers a range of useful tools and programs that can help you save energy costs. NYS Power to Choose provides an in-depth overview of the benefits and costs associated with common electric plans. The site also offers an option to compare plans to help you find the most suitable plan to meet your needs.
The first of these is the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that allows local authorities to purchase and distribute electricity. To be eligible for the program, the municipality has to produce at minimum half of the power it consumes. It’s a win/win situation for the consumer. They can enjoy a lower cost and are able to choose more options, while the local government can choose to using clean, renewable resources to power its residents.
Knowing your usage is the best way to cut your energy bills. If you’re paying for electricity by the Kilowatt hour, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not overpaying. To do this, you’ll have to be aware of your electricity and natural gas usage, and you may also wish to benefit from some of the cost-efficient programs offered by the Department of Public Service.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is also playing a big part in improving the state’s energy efficiency. It offers funding opportunities and technical assistance to local governments and companies to aid them in improving their energy performance. It’s also working to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and to lower the cost of energy to customers.
The “New York State Home Energy Fair Practices Act”, which provides comprehensive protections for residential customers, includes a limit on late fees as well as budget-friendly billing options. The law also protects those on fixed incomes and people who suffer from medical conditions. It provides enough notice prior to the time services are stopped and provides enough time for customers to make installment payments.
The “NYS Power to Choose” site offers an overview of the most common electric plans as well as a comparison tool that lets you evaluate the state’s electric and gas offerings. There are many New York ESCOs that offer renewable energy options.
The state’s deregulation has provided New Yorkers a broader choice of energy providers. With more than 100 Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) customers can get their electricity from a variety of sources. People looking for an energy supplier should have their current utility bill in hand to compare rates. Those interested in a fixed rate plan should be on the lookout for early termination penalties.