Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance

January 2024 Edition

Welcome to the first Energy Update issue of 2024. It is a jam-packed newsletter with information on new bids, upcoming events, and a report on the Governor's budget proposals.

What sets MEGA apart from energy consultants and brokers is that we are a non-profit organization created by local governments to minimize and stabilize energy costs for localities and schools across New York State. We are excited by what this new year will hold as we strengthen our offerings and collaboration with existing members while striving to welcome new members into our programs.

MEGA Opens Bid Responses to Meet Future Energy Needs

Available to Existing and New Partners

One of the things that sets MEGA apart from energy consultants and brokers who try to sell you electricity and gas is that we are a non-profit organization that was created by local governments for the sole purpose of minimizing and stabilizing the cost of energy for local governments and schools across New York State. We are governed by a board of local leaders who volunteer their time, experience, and expertise to help us evolve with the changing energy market so that we can help localities meet the needs of an energy market in transition.

To be competitive, we aggregate our members’ energy needs and conduct a request for bids for electricity and natural gas supply through one of our members. Late last year Genesee County went out to bid, on behalf of MEGA, for our members’ future supply needs, and this week we were in Genesee County to open those bid responses. Our analysis of those bid responses will focus on how well the bidding companies can serve the needs of our counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and other members in our partnership program. This includes price, flexibility of options, customer service, and market intelligence and expertise. The bids opened this week will be for future supplies, as our current MEGA supply contracts are good until November of 2026.

Our next request for bids will be conducted later this year and focus on a menu of renewable proposals designed to support member localities as they plan for and implement requirements outlined in the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

To learn more about how to become a MEGA member and take advantage of the Genesee County bid or our upcoming bids, please reach out to [email protected]. We have done the work and are keen to share the benefits, saving you time and money while meeting all NY procurement rules.

Governor Hochul Unveils SFY 2025 Budget with Emphasis on Climate Goals

Governor Kathy Hochul presented her State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 Executive Budget on January 16th, outlining multiple proposals to advance New York State's progress towards meeting the goals set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Among the notable energy proposals are several acts and Executive Budget proposals that will be directly relevant to municipal governments, including:

The Affordable Gas Transition Act: seeks to eliminate provisions of law that restrict the Public Service Commission from ensuring utilities comply with the Climate Act’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. This includes the "100-foot" rule, which requires natural gas companies to extend service to new customers and charge the first 100 feet of infrastructure costs to all ratepayers.

The Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act: aims to streamline the environmental review and permitting process for major renewable energy and electric transmission projects under the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES). Additionally, it relocates ORES from the Department of State (DOS) to the Department of Public Service (DPS).

Executive Budget: include proposals to bolster local climate action, such as increasing the maximum grant award for disadvantaged communities under the Climate Smart Communities program and granting the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) the authority to provide planning, design, procurement, and construction management services to counties and municipalities.

Following the Governor’s budget address, the Legislature announced a schedule for joint legislative hearings that will focus on different programmatic areas of the Executive Budget. The Local/General Government and Environmental Conservation hearings are scheduled for February 6th and 7th, respectively, and will be available for live viewing on the Senate and Assembly websites.

For more details about the local government impact of Governor Hochul’s proposed budget, see NYSAC’s analysis here.

Where to find a MEGA Representative

MEGA is always available to talk with you about how to work together. We will also be "on the road" over the next few months, exhibiting at the following conferences. Stop by our booth and say hello.

NYCOM Winter Legislative Meeting, February 4-6, 2024 at the Marriott in Albany.
NYSAC Legislative Conference, February 26-27, 2024 at the Crowne Plaza in Albany
NYS GFOA Conference, April 17-19, 2024 at the Marriott in Albany.

For more information, to book a consultation, invite us to a meeting, or to get pricing, email [email protected] or call Mark LaVigne at 518-429-0189 or Aleks Urosevic at 847-274-2283.

Knowledge is Power

MEGA is committed to keeping our members and partners informed about the ever-changing world of energy. Be sure to tune in to our upcoming events or catch up on the recordings of past events. Visit our new Events page for details and regular updates.

Upcoming Webinar to Detail Funding Options for Clean Energy Communities

On February 15th, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will join MEGA on a webinar designed to discuss ways that the state’s Clean Energy Communities Program can help county, city, town, or village governments identify and implement high-impact actions that save energy and cut costs. NYSERDA representatives will talk about the network of regionally based coordinators are guiding municipalities through the program and helping them identify, prioritize, and implement effective strategies at the local level. Register here.

ICYMI: State of the Electric Grid in New York State

Recording Now Available

On January 17th, MEGA partnered with the New York State Association of Counties to host a webinar focused on the growing risks to electric system reliability driven by rising electricity

demands, resource retirements, extreme weather, and other factors. The webinar addressed some tough questions being asked by government and industry across the globe: as we attempt to move away from our reliance on carbon-producing fossil fuels, where will the grid get the electricity needed to keep the current flowing? These challenges will persist as more renewable energy resources and large load manufacturing projects — both critical for the state’s long-term economic viability — connect to the grid. NYISO's Vice President of External Affairs Kevin Lanahan presented the challenges of the grid in transition and how those challenges may impact how well we are able to meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). In many ways, the message was a wake-up call for state policy makers and local leaders as we all explore ways to address the changing needs of a changing energy marketplace. That’s why we recorded this webinar, and that’s why we encourage you to watch it. Webinar Recording

Our Partners:

Visit MEGAEnergy.org to learn more!