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degggendorf t1_jan4v0z wrote

Reply to comment by totoop in City to introduce Providence Community Electricity Program, offer electricity at lower rates than Rhode Island Energy by relbatnrut

> (and you're automatically opted in to it? Is that correct, the wording in article makes it seem that way)

Yes, that's how the "supplier of last resort" works; that's who supplies power to anyone who hasn't specifically chosen a provider.

> and then prices revert to the market rate

To be clear, it will be adjusted according to the energy market (like happens now with RIE), not set to equal the market rate or any other supplier.

> the electric option you've been opted into has a higher % of energy produced by renewables compared to RI Energy

The default supply is the state minimum % renewable; that can't be higher than RIE % renewable. edit: I misread, this is incorrect

> then couldn't you assume your bill after November will actually end up being higher then what you paid previously to RI Energy?

No, you can assume it will be cheaper, since a non-profit-taking entity (PVD Community Electricity) is replacing a profit-taking entity (RIE) in the process.

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totoop t1_jan6gpz wrote

Gotcha, thanks for the explanation I do now see your point about PVD Community vs RIE. I'm still hung up on this sentence though I suppose;

"The contract awarded to NextEra Energy Services sets the default supply and pricing provided to participating customers to include 10% more renewable energy than the state minimum."

That just seems at odds with;

"...and an option with only the minimum amount of renewable energy...."

What am I missing here? It seems like the default plan option, with the lowest % of renewables, is described as having the state minimum in one place and then described as having 10% more than the state minimum - do I just need another coffee?

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degggendorf t1_jan7jkd wrote

No, you're right, I misread. I thought it was saying it's 10% renewable, which is the state minimum, but that's clearly incorrect.

Renewables should theoretically have lower generation costs which would enable lower pricing, but then that doesn't square with the higher % renewable options being more expensive.

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