Show All Answers

1. What is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?

CCA is a bulk electricity purchasing program for residents and small businesses. CCA uses group purchasing and competition to offer better electric rates, price stability and budget certainty, provide access to 100% renewable electricity and combat predatory practices of energy telemarketers and door-to-door sales.

2. What happens with my current utility?

Your electric bill has two main sections:

• Delivery - Delivery charges cover the cost to maintain the physical infrastructure and address electricity outages. 
• Supply - Supply charges cover the cost of the electricity.

With a CCA you will still pay the delivery portion of your bill to National Grid and the supply will be paid to the company selected to serve the CCA. You will receive one bill from National Grid.

3. Can I participate?

To get the benefits of CCA you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Live within a city, town or village that is participating in the Program,
• Receive your electricity supply from National Grid,
• Be a resident or small business (usually using less than 2,000 kilowatt-hours per month)
• Not have a block on your account

If you meet these 4 criteria, you will automatically be included in the CCA. The CCA Program is compatible with budget billing, community solar and rooftop solar.

4. What if I don’t want to participate in the CCA?

CCA is all about choice and you have the opportunity to opt-out. If you are automatically eligible to participate in CCA you will receive an opt-out letter with details on how to opt-out. You have 30 days to opt-out via mail, phone or online.

5. What if I don’t opt-out within 30 days?

If you don’t opt-out within 30 days you will be switched to the CCA. You are still able to return to National Grid for your electric supply at any time without a penalty. It will take 1 to 2 billing cycles to return to National Grid.

6. How do I know if National Grid is my electric supplier?

Check the supply portion of your bill to see if it lists the name of a company other than National Grid (this is often found on the last page). If you receive two bills, you have already selected a supplier other than National Grid. If you are still not sure, contact us and we’ll help you.

Questions can be emailed to MEGA’s CCA team or by calling 518-533-5399.

Questions specific to the City of Albany can be emailed to the Department of Planning and Development, or by calling 518-465-6066.

7. Can I join (opt-into) the CCA if I already selected a supply company other than National Grid?

Yes, you can opt-into the CCA, but if you signed a contract for a certain length of time there may be a fee to terminate that contract. To find out, call your supplier.

8. What if I move?

If you move to another community participating in CCA you are able to join that group for the remainder of the Program term.

9. Where does the electricity come from?

CCA is about community choice and control over electricity supply. Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance (MEGA) creates a competitive bid process for electricity supply based on what the community desires. MEGA solicits multiple options from Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and ultimately recommends an option to the community based on price and overall value. Some communities have requested a CCA supplied by 100% renewable electricity.

10. Can I get renewable electricity through the CCA?

Yes. Even if your community does not select 100% renewable electricity, you can opt-up into 100% renewable electricity. If your community selects 100% renewable electricity, you can opt-down into a standard grid mix at a lower price.

11. What electric suppliers serve CCAs?

Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) compete to win the business of the CCA by responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP).