Westchester Power Program Update
For nearly a decade, Westchester Power has enabled communities to deliver clean, predictably-priced, consumer-friendly energy to tens of thousands of residents and businesses. So it is with regret that Sustainable Westchester has made the difficult but necessary decision to discontinue the program when the current contract concludes at the end of November. This decision comes as New York implements new rules that govern community energy programs statewide, which impact all Community Choice Aggregation administrators and their energy suppliers. Sustainable Westchester determined that continuing the program under the current regulatory framework is not feasible.
For residents and small businesses within the 26 municipalities served by Westchester Power, there will be no disruption to electric service as power will continue to be supplied safely and reliably by their local utilities, Con Edison and NYSEG.
Sustainable Westchester is grateful for the strong partnership of municipal leaders who have supported the program, and we join them in celebrating Westchester’s Power’s enormous contributions to regional climate and clean energy goals. In total, the program has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1.5 million metric tons, the equivalent of removing 35,000 gas-powered cars from the road, an extraordinary and lasting achievement.
Now more than ever, Sustainable Westchester remains deeply committed to advancing affordable, clean, and locally-driven energy solutions. We will continue to work closely with our member municipalities to expand participation in our wide-ranging programs—including GridRewards, Solarize, EnergySmart HOMES, Community Solar, and MOVE—while exploring new and innovative models that advance the region’s clean energy future.
What is Westchester Power?
Westchester Power (Community Choice Aggregation, CCA) is a community-based bulk energy purchasing program designed to control costs and increase the use of renewable energy in Westchester County. Westchester Power is a program initiated and implemented by Sustainable Westchester Inc, on behalf of member municipalities that have chosen to participate in the program.
Sustainable Westchester is a non-profit organization that serves the interests of its member cities, towns and villages. Westchester Power provides residents and small business electric customers a locally chosen alternative to the state-mandated utility—Con Edison or NYSEG—for energy supply. Westchester Power represents the best interests of consumers by providing choices for competitive, fixed prices and cleaner energy.
Participating Communities
As of the end of 2024, Westchester Power has 26 participating communities accounting for about 130,000 Westchester electric customers, representing 40% of the county residents.
There are three electricity supply groupings:
- Con Edison Municipalities (except for Yonkers): Ardsley, Bedford, Croton-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Town of Greenburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Larchmont, Town of Mamaroneck, Village of Mamaroneck, New Castle, City of New Rochelle, Town of Ossining, Village of Ossining, City of Peekskill, Village of Pelham, Pleasantville, City of Rye, Rye Brook, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, City of White Plains
- NYSEG Municipalities: Bedford, North Salem, Pound Ridge
- City of Yonkers
Municipal default supply: Each municipality picks one supply option as the default for the community. Participants can easily change to the other supply, but if no change is requested they are enrolled in the default.
Mission
To give Westchester County residents better energy choices through collective action, thereby stabilizing prices, providing convenient access to clean power at competitive rates, and creating opportunities for developing local, sustainable energy systems and programs.
ABOUT THE WESTCHESTER POWER PROGRAM
Who Manages the Westchester Power Program?
Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) consortium of Westchester County local governments, has been authorized by the New York State Public Service Commission to act as the manager and administrator of Westchester Power on behalf of its member municipalities. Westchester Power is a program of Sustainable Westchester and participating Westchester County municipalities that have passed the required local legislation and then chose to participate in the program.
When Did The Program Begin?
Westchester Power launched in May 2016 with 20 participating municipalities, and as of March 2022, a total of 29 municipalities currently participate. The change to the new supply rate is reflected in either the first or second bill after its municipality participation is finalized, depending on each customer’s billing cycle.
Who Participates In Westchester Power?
Approximately 145,000 county residents and small businesses in Westchester municipalities are currently in the program.
What Does This Mean For Me?
This means that Westchester Power will negotiate the best possible rate on behalf of all participating consumers. While your state-designated utility, either Con Edison or NYSEG, will still deliver the energy supplied through Westchester Power.
It also means that you have a choice to help eliminate carbon pollution by selecting a renewable energy option.
How Does The Westchester Power Program Work?
On behalf of the participating municipalities, Westchester Power has negotiated to buy electricity at a bulk, fixed rates from a single supplier for each jurisdiction in the program. For residents and small businesses in participating municipalities, Westchester Power will automatically become the default electricity provider, allowing the purchase of electric supply at the contracted fixed rate. Con Edison or NYSEG will continue to handle the consumer’s billing, deliver electricity, maintain power lines, and respond to service outages.
Who Manages the Westchester Power Program?
Who Manages the Westchester Power Program?
Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) consortium of Westchester County local governments, has been authorized by the New York State Public Service Commission to act as the manager and administrator of Westchester Power on behalf of its member municipalities. Westchester Power is a program of Sustainable Westchester and participating Westchester County municipalities that have passed the required local legislation and then chose to participate in the program.
When Did The Program Begin?
When Did The Program Begin?
Westchester Power launched in May 2016 with 20 participating municipalities, and as of March 2022, a total of 29 municipalities currently participate. The change to the new supply rate is reflected in either the first or second bill after its municipality participation is finalized, depending on each customer’s billing cycle.
Who Participates In Westchester Power?
Who Participates In Westchester Power?
Approximately 145,000 county residents and small businesses in Westchester municipalities are currently in the program.
What Does This Mean For Me?
What Does This Mean For Me?
This means that Westchester Power will negotiate the best possible rate on behalf of all participating consumers. While your state-designated utility, either Con Edison or NYSEG, will still deliver the energy supplied through Westchester Power.
It also means that you have a choice to help eliminate carbon pollution by selecting a renewable energy option.
How Does The Westchester Power Program Work?
How Does The Westchester Power Program Work?
On behalf of the participating municipalities, Westchester Power has negotiated to buy electricity at a bulk, fixed rates from a single supplier for each jurisdiction in the program. For residents and small businesses in participating municipalities, Westchester Power will automatically become the default electricity provider, allowing the purchase of electric supply at the contracted fixed rate. Con Edison or NYSEG will continue to handle the consumer’s billing, deliver electricity, maintain power lines, and respond to service outages.
What Can We Do?
Westchester Power:
A Brief Historical Perspective
In February 2015, Sustainable Westchester, a non-profit 501(c)(3) consortium of Westchester County local governments was selected by the New York State Public Service Commission to launch New York State’s first Community Choice Aggregation program (“Order Granting Petition in Part” in Case 14-M-0564, issued February 26, 2015). Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is an energy procurement program that enables participating communities to join together and purchase electricity in bulk. Purchasing electricity in bulk provides the market clout to negotiate lower rates and to offer credible, clean energy choices for customers.
Community Choice Aggregation is currently available in eight US states: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York, and New Hampshire. Over 10.6 million households nationwide are served by a CCA program, and over 350,000 households in New York State are served by a CCA program.
