Sourcing Renewables  -  September 15, 2021

City of Rochester Starts New York's Largest Community Clean Energy Program

The City of Rochester began operations Sept. 15 of its community choice clean energy program, the largest in New York State.

The Rochester Community Power program will offer residents and small businesses access to 100% clean electricity sourced from hydropower and wind power. It is estimated that the project will supply customers with more than 300 million kWh of renewable electricity each year and avoid nearly 225,000 metric tons of CO2 over the next two years.

Eligible residents and businesses are automatically enrolled but can opt-out any time. The competitive bidding process for the 24-month fixed rate was managed by Joule Assets.

The program will also help the state contribute toward its goal of sourcing 70% renewable energy by 2030. A community choice solar program is also expected to launch in Rochester in early 2022.

“So much hard work was put into creating Rochester Community Power, and now our residents will begin to reap the benefits,” Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said in a statement. “We look forward to adding the community solar program early next year, which will offer guaranteed savings for the community, including many of our more than 23,000 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) households.”