Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. today announced that his legislation to facilitate the development of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs in the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) service territory has passed the Assembly (A.6890). The same-as legislation is sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky and is currently awaiting consideration by the full Senate (S.6189).

In 2016, the Public Service Commission (PSC) authorized CCA programs in New York State. However, the initial order by the PSC authorizing the CCA program did not fully account for the complexities of LIPA’s service territory and rate structure. While the Commission is now in the process of exploring how this program could work for Long Islanders, there are still concerns around the current proposal, specifically LIPA’s rule changes, which are causing delay around the process.

CCA programs are important to our energy sector since they empower local communities to have a say in their source of energy and their energy mix. CCA programs accomplish this by allowing local municipalities and their residents to pool their resources together to purchase electricity from an alternative provider, allowing for easier access to green – and often cheaper – energy options. On Long Island, the Towns of Southampton, East Hampton, Brookhaven, and Hempstead have led the way by passing the local law necessary to authorize a CCA program within their municipalities.

Assemblyman Thiele stated, “Long Islanders deserve to have the same access to greener and more affordable energy as other ratepayers across the state. Several localities on Long Island have expressed an interest in participating in CCA programs, with three of our local East End towns already passing the necessary legislation to do so. These municipalities should be allowed to proceed. I am proud to have passed this important legislation to bring Long Island in line with the rest of the state and am hopeful for its enactment.”