Providence, RI Announces Opt-out Municipal Aggregation Program

Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced an opt-out municipal aggregation plan for electricity supply

The aggregation will include residents and small business customers

Per the Mayor's office, "The program would have a default electricity supply with the goal of including extra renewable energy while also generating cost savings compared to National Grid’s supply."

The aggregation program is to have three other optional electricity supply options:

• 100% renewable energy

• 50% renewable energy

• State-mandated minimum % renewable energy

Good Energy is managing the aggregation's procurement

"All extra renewable energy will come from sources based in New England, much of it from Rhode Island. It will be provided through Green Energy Consumers Alliance, a local non-profit dedicated to expanding clean energy in our region," the Mayor's office said

Providence is to be the third community in Rhode Island to conduct a public hearing on its Draft Community Choice Aggregation Plan, which will be on Wednesday, July 15th

Once approved by the City Council via Resolution, the plan will be submitted to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. The Public Utilities Commission will then begin their own review process

Upon Public Utilities Commission approval of that plan, then the City, working with Good Energy, "may solicit competitive bids," the Mayor's office said

Providence and Good Energy have also been working with other communities in Rhode Island including Central Falls, Barrington, Portsmouth, and South Kingstown to solicit bids together