<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDDqLrC5dAJ2AJEZVdKq-LEvmvlh8JPdwzZSkltqkg4bSqW0rm3szPCHFwathBtFau4olUbtylp89IWBz6ig7OMH7A7NGK0hHkFe9nGZvebR1Lc9T0nXZ1p8i8jE0oyigtguOI9nlZT4JvgUCMtM2_C_RIXBO074Ap_dPj4wQtaDU6lgTZJJ09LglBEhwXAKwGIxEysAJ6Hw04aOEMKnoXUZPvkO8_c8SasaePGQg0EBEk5Fb-HxSEb73co18INJlJC76Gis3VkqpPC4zwIurRDl9t00hh0T3smHhajKslxlJQfSddJf0Yx-T2qOyUqCohA/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h0/9luVlIsAkOxluYTEWPA_hf7vgAP41u89_nMskiWuQic" target="_blank"><img src="https://actionnetwork.org/s3_files/uploads/data/000/756/139/original/SAB_logo_72_cmyk.jpg" width="300" alt="" title="" align="center" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; border: none; width: 300px; max-width: 300px; display: block; margin: auto;"></a></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">Dear Friends & Neighbors,</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">I hope that this note finds you well - staying safe and dry during today's Nor'Easter.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">I know that many residents have questions and concerns about the new electricity program that was recently announced, so I wanted to share some information. I also want to be clear that I have been - and am still - very excited and supportive of this program! If you have emailed me a question, I will respond to everyone individually as well.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">To view this newsletter online, check out: <a href="https://www.sueanderbois.com/news" target="_blank">https://www.sueanderbois.com/news</a></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><strong>Community Choice Aggregation:</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><em>What is Community Choice Aggregation?</em></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">Providence Community Electricity is Providence's new electricity program. It is our city's version of "Community Choice Aggregation". For a higher level, but still very accurate explanation - Alex Kuffner's <a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDDwMWT5ZHrko7nzzGouSGh1DYggShL-KR7rThFMpQyr-qwrpbELkvleqpZoeR7jEB8lf_iNFrTLtAolZGOm7u05PalioDSX5M7GNy4i-cDSp_vhMHI5_muELmJxC3g269mX81kkJmWuKmqkY-rsfi8_dYTRT9Li1KiLF-TmOkIaeXN73kJMCqtBRxpuqrgYC-24S-pMWrjJbmIgG--O2dKCxVT8F9DV-RxMeW26QkFpKAbOeVA0Rg5D2-yrFJirxw1CThGMyQpFwBqL4QDnvrnizG0Uy_UIGmiOhoKch8TE5X1khuEJxO02TwkKjNLJqNAELXZkidkk_ib8BMOeWDyTLLK6MuRE7IEx1_CNA3Xi_2POzHbhtwgV8Y_PA8chtGSxAWsRQFK41AF-hg-N-ESwPLd78Ri98-fzVYRB1nzrgWotoLiALLTmmkvrjE8hosyurR9ON-35on3j4efHb15U2z73pvrQsn2v5WD5E8wI3/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h1/f8LYFwEub3hHJT2KK5u6tbt065WxEUoNjsU0gEe4bB4" target="_blank">Providence Journal Story</a> was excellent. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">First it's helpful to know a little bit about your electric bill. Electric bills in Rhode Island are split into two sections: a) the charges related to the distribution of electricity (this generally pays for the upkeep of the poles and wires, which are owned and operated by Rhode Island Energy) and b) charges related to the generation of electricity (these are called "supply charges"). Most residents in Providence use the default 'supply' for their electricity, which is procured by Rhode Island energy and approved every 6 months by the Public Utilities Commission. RI law does allow for residents to purchase their 'supply' from competitive third- party companies, but for many reasons most people stick with the default option. Regardless of who you choose for 'supply', your bill arrives each month from RI Energy.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">Community Choice Aggregation allows municipalities like Providence to collectively purchase this "supply" on behalf of all residents in the competitive market, which can allow for higher levels of local clean energy and lower prices. The program allows us to be more nimble than the utility and take advantage of better rates and cleaner options for our residents. You will still continue to receive one electricity bill a month - and it will still be from Rhode Island Energy.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">6 other towns in Rhode Island are currently going through the same process, and more than 50 towns in Massachusetts have similar programs.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><em>How and Why was this program created?</em></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">The RI General Assembly passed legislation modeled after successful programs in other states to enable this program. In 2019, Councilwoman Helen Anthony sponsored the ordinance that enabled Providence to participate. At the time, I was Chair of the Providence Sustainability Commission. I partnered with Councilwoman Anthony and assisted this process by holding the public hearing on this ordinance through our Commission in the spring of 2020. Because of the pandemic, the public hearing was on Zoom, and we had a lot of good testimony and questions from residents across the City.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">The dual goals of the program are to procure additional amounts of clean electricity for Providence residents while also reducing and smoothing out electricity costs. These goals were built into the program design. The program was reviewed and approved by the Public Utilities Committee. The City underwent a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify a consultant who could help manage this program through a standard competitive bid process.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><em>Am I Enrolled Automatically?</em></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">Most residents will be enrolled in the program automatically. If this is the case for you, you would have received a letter in the mail within the last few days describing the program. <br></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">However, residents are able to opt-out at any point in this process and return to the standard offer service through RI Energy. You are under no obligation to stay in this program.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><em>Where Can I Get More Information?</em><br></p><ul style="color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><li style="margin-left:15px">The City has created a website of information about the program, which you can access at <a href="https://electricity.providenceri.gov/" target="_blank">https://electricity.providenceri.gov/</a></li><li style="margin-left:15px">March 20th at 5:30pm: The Sustainability Commission will have time in their monthly meeting to address questions and concerns. You can attend in person in Room 312 of City Hall or online at: <a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/mRNLFKyANPYkYXuUTzk_S8eGCfMPKtWt9Y6VsHU6KpeTyTXCKZvj8tnNdT7TOPDxt9WVN4VeuMaoQ4zAfXJVMxN9NnbxBFp8H7SLQ293UeZiZYhMoSgPri0zBDccCpyWeOC4slI33LqPfJF8aHsrD84QcYO1Xm2tY25kd3d2Dr0P07xGlI0E07Y4HgNmioSdJp9eZbM8BmasRs6yDgEXG8JddKj7lHsshndxEwweP74R3IdY5rjs3_X863Qy6DPX2z3rA4AsOlo6cwzhweT68-rDyZc8d1DzA9cYA2qNqCjy7wPxCDMZLUGTlnjOf1Sww-zcvU-7oQ2CAjHC5-08eg/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h2/2uL81x1olKjlILOsYfKE9VdOD5d4SzIowkJ3_trLasY" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85683012296</a></li><li style="margin-left:15px">March 27th at 6pm: The Mayor's team will be holding a community meeting to answer questions on the program. It can be accessed at the Zoom link: <a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/mRNLFKyANPYkYXuUTzk_S8eGCfMPKtWt9Y6VsHU6KpeBCzwllogE-vXAX069KzOhdpPMjarMu6YWVpEI4eQcEdehYyFuFHYhlAKeQs-X54unQq3fZwdt4mNzyIbX_a5ifhSk-BhCUIN1hxZiNFBQhN7m11dWbaSR_iis4-SqMk2KoGioZzfz-F0rGk9LjwE0Te-PL6t53Ec-qteFyagiZSgAf7awftixtByuhEmJvMqfz8x0SePhfM8xsJXYMNgiTalHyEx_Rz4Qsxu5hUZt0rO_sgKUj9hvTK63rdP8MQNUUOa7q4yutGc5o685GHc4qWMQM1WkOzA7zOcUaI108g/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h3/3nwflfxpq1o8HKUz_LUfGyxedqC0bEemV0BtGtrWYfk" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84119813584</a></li><li style="margin-left:15px">April 6th at 7pm: I arranged for a Q&A session for our community with the City's Consultant on this program and the City's Acting Director of Sustainability. This can be accessed at this Zoom Link: <a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/mRNLFKyANPYkYXuUTzk_S8eGCfMPKtWt9Y6VsHU6KpdGF0k_Kng7TVlSBXYEKFkbZ5ukBdMTRDplyUXxMjjWzrAGwj5FbiqUwMsMF8EKJ91-ttlLiagzncwqS9VNBCdh44uCpolKDomG3tviv0exrVm88AiK2S94TqaLMkYLga3eoUhGFKmUEhpz4MWNl71vSRE2UDlAamkc3LU_4Paxt_2zK7oZbYpfrL6hwhr27cmEkOYIY0rvP8eb7y9gTHH2-vAcnNKA23EM6ypE2PE1pjqvdnvedyCnWgboqvoP4YWI5BJDc44DLInchhd1RvkYPvEXhgBhXg4i3_O21rmO5A/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h4/FXiCRpMirzQBFoBYh_X6EScEeGt0cfvYe-G52fZZyO8" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89954580632</a></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/mRNLFKyANPYkYXuUTzk_S8eGCfMPKtWt9Y6VsHU6KpdGF0k_Kng7TVlSBXYEKFkbOf3ZU_Hptw-Z-0rPgR__IuciemlYPiAK3_1uwb_NJRoamT2IvNSoIIjqmgo5bs_7u3_NClMRKPlEbuU_rnSH8pZHQ0BhhWdQUPg3HLaX-laShRSrhbmgRVxN2wrYCAqOy4FASfYewDRDTbkQIMOu-713iM_Fn9zz3XADYQbu74yqJJSmRBmedp6Ri5gWKfj3ADrZTTh5RmQ1ynm77Dx_yn5Arm0BHPjdaWg0M_mN5wA0y2RfR3Lcugr-lJsIyMEDGNh1R8fuEEdSQvsUfC6NiA/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h5/uV79AS_6FBZ7UwBRn3JyhZhfHvwLPGdrBrqoHFvMM2E" target="_blank"></a>I will be sharing more information via my social media through <a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDPAZiEt8wwS6hp5wOIb3CiI-qL2uA84DS8Y7sdkkSMmAKVQ3eatkEu_v56jUkaQIdqk-ORjrxSJ_g7jFq6fn2_nBxY-5makFAn_iQ8BGEv4Aqzc4jZQtjUOf5z6WDel7PKqW9mue4fnXL8stovPnBfRB-k7ZqpfrrR5OW1WS6ZWvyQFQTZ-4NDONJQ28q-DujebQ-pMiU7nIK4wDDO22s0XC0XHCq2POqhgvnL94aejMMw-d4dMXpvkMca7XjA097BpNwc7kJx5B3h3V6qW8Jv_g_Ue1fvLIZSf4X8c4zudrorvHxeo9KbHgS3p7LdBElA/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h6/ilAPPctuyiuzFSPe8KQNfa0oPXbng6ZUUbxFw0i3tvs" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://url1005.email.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDE-osrDsyUs4KS0eRiq-k7RrkTjrq0CC35XMRDYE644twBHdF8mpHzu386yyy02SzfmMEivNtPM8pREKVJQBz1-KxkwDDSSm8of9ERqEsswVyUTxNBVwXo3jQE5qEg-oRFDXWWg2uokTatuPp_zSpBUhnDvgmBN4J7KiVK04et7dWrJJFBefpdpPXzssMotm7zsHYSDdzIkcH4xdjLzfoFjeOYxJ5Y6V6NGiX3bIPDzUQfObXkiX9mgON3YgfM-pFDrCrM5fMhxi6bl348Lrm3f7E8SGrwIMp4dIhD_nB_QhaaeytCiqdwa3zJDNA4NXmTnRh0GH8yDJlANArK5dfAA/3uh/4o09VQzWShG9CjeBedDxOw/h7/e_W_j9_XtxwwnHP7Sddfj4d5AOmxqWVGlhYqZnjZPpE" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</li><li style="margin-left:15px">Please reach out directly to me any time, and I am happy to answer any questions. If you've already emailed me and have not yet received a reply - please know I will respond back ASAP: I have received a very high volume of questions about this program and want to respond to each of you thoroughly. </li></ul><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><em>What is the TL;DR? (Too Long; Didn't Read):</em></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><em></em>Providence is implementing a program that will help keep electric prices low and competitive while investing in more clean energy. It was fully vetted by both the City Council and the Public Utilities Commission. The program is entirely voluntary for residents, and you can opt out at any time. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">Thank you everyone! Please be in touch any time. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">With Deep Gratitude,</p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px"><img src="https://actionnetwork.org/s3_files/uploads/data/000/756/142/original/Sue's_Signature.PNG" width="150" alt="" title="" align="" class="gmail-CToWUd gmail-a6T" tabindex="0" style="cursor: pointer; outline: none; width: 150px; max-width: 150px;"><br></p><p style="margin:1em 0px;color:rgb(80,80,80);font-family:Arial;font-size:14px">Councilwoman Sue AnderBois</p></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 3:13 PM Sue Chartier <<a href="mailto:smchartier143@yahoo.com">smchartier143@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto">Can someone forward the letter from Sue Anderbois please.<br><br><div dir="ltr">Susan Chartier</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Mar 14, 2023, at 2:09 PM, Art Norwalk <<a href="mailto:art@norwalkcom.com" target="_blank">art@norwalkcom.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Sue's letter is very good but very late. If the city and the Florida power company didn't want PVD folks to get upset, they would have sent this kind of information in advance of their incomprehensible letter. The reactions we're seeing are the direct result of either incompetent or deliberately deceptive communications. The program may be great but they've got a lot of work ahead to make folks trust them.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">-- Art</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 1:46 PM Ben Prentice <<a href="mailto:benprentice28@gmail.com" target="_blank">benprentice28@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">I strongly encourage everyone to read your elected counsel person, Sue Anderbois’ newsletter, describing how this program came about, its merits, and your options, before getting upset without having enough information to make a rational decision, one way or the other, for whatever best suits your household.<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Ben</div>-- <br><div dir="ltr">"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde
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