[Summit] The new electricity option. Do you think?

Mon Mar 13 13:39:48 UTC 2023

The automatic opt in is disgusting regardless of the merits of the program.
Cramming down energy providers is a bad look for the city council. If this
is a progressive policy bad for them as well

- Coryndon

On Sun, Mar 12, 2023, 9:59 PM Art Norwalk <art at norwalkcom.com> wrote:

> Elizabeth --
>
> I really don't know what could happen with the new program because the
> information we've been given so far is nearly incomprehensible. It could be
> a situation of inept communication obscuring a good program. Ethan Gyles, a
> good person we all know who's well versed in the energy industry, thinks
> well of it and that makes me think there could be something worthwhile
> behind the gibberish we've gotten so far. Seems to me we need to take a
> breath and hope to get some information we can process and trust.
>
> -- Art
>
> On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM Elizabeth Grossman <eggbdk at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Do you think this could  evoke into a bait and switch.? And if to assure
>> not,  does this mean at a minimum, putting people who don’t opt out,  in a
>> position of having to cf electricity rates every 6 months ( sort of like we
>> have to do annually with Medicare D)? If so, that sounds like a heavy lift,
>>  unless the city is going to monitor this closely to assure that  we don’t
>> face higher rates for being with the Community Energy program, as it’s
>> reassuringly called.
>> E
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Mar 12, 2023, at 1:18 PM, Art Norwalk <art at norwalkcom.com> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> If you look hard enough on the city's website -- providenceri.gov -- you
>> may come across this announcement written in advanced bureaucratese:
>>
>>
>> https://www.providenceri.gov/city-announces-launch-of-providence-community-electricity-program/
>>
>> And way down at the bottom of that page you may notice this further link:
>>
>> *Electricity.ProvidenceRI.gov
>> <https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fElectricity.ProvidenceRI.gov&c=E,1,t4mgOfcb3cbkmcy1XYpPJr0D6n1uqDn6XMmP6ShQ0Qvlmyk0ErHH9wIYa-6yNcTPy2T4l-iEvNN9e841x0P-ecXwC0yjYKOqHcnk_YWmZ0RC810,&typo=1&ancr_add=1>*
>>
>> which is likely to further confuse you.
>>
>> And good luck making sense out of the mailing that carries the city's
>> logo but was actually sent by the company that wants us as customers.
>>
>> From my 40+ years in public relations, I can only conclude that this
>> rollout was not designed to inform citizens, but instead to leave us saying
>> WTF, tossing the mailer in the trash and going along quietly.
>>
>> This comment has nothing to do with the merits of the proposal because we
>> have no way of knowing what those might or might not be.
>>
>> Not a good look.
>>
>> -- Art
>>
>> On Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 11:20 AM Paul G Smith <paul.slvrwngs at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Elizabeth and Summit,
>>> Here is what I recently sent a week ago to Sue Anderbois, who is the city
>>> councilor for ward 3:
>>>
>>> Hi Sue,
>>> I presume that you know about this change that is basically being forced
>>> on
>>> all electricity users in Providence:
>>>
>>> https://www.golocalprov.com/news/You-May-Be-Getting-a-New-Electricity-Co-Wha
>>> t-You-Need-to-Know
>>> <https://www.golocalprov.com/news/You-May-Be-Getting-a-New-Electricity-Co-What-You-Need-to-Know>
>>> I found a link in the article to "opt out" and have chosen to do so, but
>>> if
>>> people don't figure out how to opt out, they are automatically enrolled.
>>> This seems quite unfair.
>>> There are several reasons why I have opted out:
>>> 1.      The entire process of how this came about has been opaque (the
>>> opposite of open), and it is being foisted on all residents and
>>> businesses
>>> without any input or understanding (to my knowledge) of the implications.
>>> 2.      These electricity distribution companies, which have been around
>>> for
>>> years, all make profits, and their profits are piled on top of the
>>> profits
>>> of the regulated utility companies. In the short run, perhaps some
>>> rate-payers may save money, but in the long run they will pay more,
>>> because
>>> of this built-in extra profit. It is not unlike the so-called Medicare
>>> Advantage plans, whereby private companies offer "extra benefits" to
>>> Medicare beneficiaries, generally to the financial and restrictive
>>> detriment
>>> of those same beneficiaries. It is a scam from the get-go, used to make
>>> profits for the private companies, unfortunately with the blessings of
>>> our
>>> elected representatives, who are probably motivated by campaign
>>> contributions from said companies. I choose traditional Medicare for the
>>> same reason that I opt out of this electricity scheme.
>>> 3.      Whether totally accurate or not, the allegations against the
>>> company
>>> as revealed in the article are serious considerations, about which it
>>> appears the City of Providence has been unaware. If they are aware, then
>>> there seems to be a serious dereliction of accountability and fiduciary
>>> prudence.
>>> 4.      The form I used to opt out seemed to request me to state my
>>> reasons
>>> for opting out, but it did not provide any means to do so. That is part
>>> of
>>> the reason I am writing to you.
>>> 5.      It is very odd that I am hearing about all of this from Go Local
>>> Providence, rather than from city officials. This all by itself would be
>>> reason to be skeptical of the plan.
>>> 6.      While the goal of increasing renewable energy sources is
>>> admirable
>>> (and I fully support), I doubt very much that this scheme will have any
>>> impact on that goal.
>>> Probably there is nothing you can do, but I wanted to make sure you are
>>> aware, and understand why someone like myself would not want to
>>> participate.
>>> Warmest regards,
>>> - Paul
>>>
>>> Sue did send a response, saying she would be addressing it in her next
>>> newsletter.
>>> Paul G Smith
>>> 54 Summit Ave, Providence, RI  02906
>>> Cell: 802-343-0978
>>> E-mail: paul.slvrwngs at gmail.com <mailto:paul.slvrwngs at gmail.com>
>>> _____________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens"
>>>                         - Baha'u'llah             http://www.bahai.org
>>> <http://www.bahai.org/>
>>> "Nothing is too much trouble when one loves, and there is always time."
>>>                         - Abdu'l-Baha
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Summit <summit-bounces at sna.providence.ri.us> On Behalf Of
>>> Elizabeth
>>> Grossman
>>> Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2023 8:32 AM
>>> To: Neighborhood Association <summit at sna.providence.ri.us>
>>> Subject: [Summit] The new electricity option
>>>
>>> Hi all Does anyone see any downside to the new electricity option that
>>> the
>>> city has roled out? If so would you be up for sharing?
>>> Elizabeth
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>>>
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