Tyringham Clean Energy Cooperative Member Manual

Transcription

1 Tyringham Clean Energy Cooperative Member Manual

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Community Clean Energy Project Goals and Principles... 1 Considered Resources... 2 Member Eligibility... 2 Becoming a Cooperative Member... 2 Scheduling a Mass Save Energy Assessment... 2 Membership Benefits... 3 Receiving Net Metering Credits... 3 Membership Obligations... 3 Board of Directors... 4 Cooperative Meetings... 4 Newsletter... 4 Change of Address... 4 Leaving the Cooperative... 5 Rejoining the Cooperative... 5 Frequently Asked Questions... 5 Contact... 5

3 Welcome to the Tyringham Clean Energy Cooperative. Introduction The Community Clean Energy Project (CCEP) seeks to locate and develop clean, renewable energy sources in several locations in and near Tyringham. The Tyringham Clean Energy Cooperative, the membership arm of the CCEP, supplies energy services to town citizens and building owners that join, and can help members reduce their electricity costs risk-free. The CCEP goal is to work with communities develop local, reliable, affordable, and renewable electricity. This is an opportunity for Tyringham to lead as a model of rural community energy projects in New England. The Project engages the community in energy production and consumption, as well as town-wide energy efficiency efforts and education; and proves that clean, renewable generation can be integrated in community energy cooperatives at lower and stable costs while increasing the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid. Community Clean Energy Project Goals and Principles The CCEP is driven by the following goals and principles: Deploy zero-carbon resources in Tyringham Increase electric service reliability and resiliency through distributed generation Develop a new business model for utility/customer partnerships & increase customer satisfaction Engage community in cooperative ownership of clean energy resources Leverage local, reliable renewable energy resources to reduce electricity costs Integrate advanced energy technologies, where appropriate Create a model for future community energy systems

4 Considered Resources Resources considered for deployment in Tyringham include: Energy Efficiency Solar New technology pilots Member Eligibility Anyone in Tyringham is eligible to join the Co-op, including renters and seasonal residents. The Town of Tyringham is a member of the Co-op as well. Energy consumers outside the boundary of Tyringham must have their application reviewed and approved by the Co-op. Becoming a Cooperative Member To become a member of the Co-op, complete a Membership Application form, which can be submitted online, ed or mailed. To complete the application form, you will need to supply: - Contact information (address, phone number, ) - Landlord contact information (if applicable) - Your Eversource/WMECo account number (you can find this on your electric bills or your online account) - The number of meters on the property (sometimes properties with second buildings, such a barns or guest houses, have a second meter). Upon receipt of your application, you will receive a confirmation and will be officially enrolled as a member. Scheduling a Mass Save Energy Assessment Mass Save is an Eversource program that helps residents, businesses, and communities save energy and make clean energy improvements. Since these are also goals of the CCEP, we highly encourage all Co-op members (and nonmembers, too!) to schedule and receive a no-cost Energy Assessment. You can get started by calling Mass Save at SAVE (7283). Or, ask the Co-op for help setting up an assessment.

5 Membership Benefits Benefits to Co-op membership include access to education, community engagement, and reduction in electricity costs through bill credits associated with generation from the Co-op s resources. Members are also invited to join member-only events. The Co-op may offer additional rebates or discounts on equipment for your home that could help further reduce your energy costs. The Co-op may also offer members to participate in pilots of new technologies that aim to use energy in smarter ways. Receiving Net Metering Credits The Co-op s resources generate electricity into the Eversource/WMECo grid, just like any traditional power plant would. In return, Eversource/WMECo credits that generation with bill credits called net metering credits. By joining the Co-op and accepting a separate renewable energy credit terms and conditions form, your electricity account will be credited with a portion of the Co-op s net metering credits. You will see the credit right on your electricity bill. Your status as an Eversource/WMECo customer will not change once you join the Coop. Membership Obligations The Co-op is free to join, and members may give 1 months notice to cancel at any time (see p. 5 or more information on leaving the Co-op). Co-op members should attend membership meetings as they are held. Members that wish to purchase net metering credits from the co-op's solar generation should pay any such fees they agree to at the time of signing up for the credits.

6 Board of Directors The Co-op's Board of Directors is appointed. Board positions include: President; Vice President; Treasurer; Clerk; And at least two (2) additional Directors. The Co-op Board of Directors is responsible for making decisions on behalf of all Coop members. Co-op members should make their opinion on Co-op decisions known to the Board for consideration. Current board members include: Joseph Gallo, President Chris Johnson, Clerk Marcie Kammel, Treasurer Bill Bean, Director Mark Caldwell, Director Peter Charpentier, Director Cooperative Meetings Co-op member meetings will be held from time to time. Co-op members will be notified of future meetings through the address they provided when they join the Co-op. Meetings will be held by the Board of Directors. These meetings will be educational, and will provide a chance for the community to meet and discuss questions or concerns. Co-op meetings are a time when Co-op members can meet directly with Board of Directors. Newsletter In addition to Co-op meetings, Co-op members will also receive a member newsletter. This newsletter will keep Co-op members updated on latest project developments. Change of Address If a member moves within the Town of Tyringham and wishes to remain part of the Coop, they should alert the Co-op of this change, including date of move. If a Co-op member moves out of Tyringham, they must notify the Co-op. The Co-op will review whether the resident s new address allows them to stay in the Co-op, per Massachusetts regulation.

7 Leaving the Co-op Members should give the Co-op 1 months notice if they intend to leave the Co-op. While exiting the Co-op is effective upon the Co-op s receipt of a member s request to cancel, former members may continue to receive bill credits until the next Co-op allocation cycle, which may be up to one year. This is required per Massachusetts regulations. Rejoining the Co-op To rejoin the Co-op, residents should resubmit an application form and re-sign up for net metering credits, if desired. Please note that Massachusetts regulations only allow us to allocate credits to new members twice per year. Please contact us if you would like to know how long the waiting period will be. Frequently Asked Questions Do members have to pay for equipment and installations? Members will not need to pay for any equipment or installation costs. May I still participate in the Co-op if I have/plan to have solar installed at my house? Absolutely. If less than 100% of your power is provided by the solar, the Co-op can provide the balance. If 100% (or more) of your power is provided by your solar, either you can choose to add any extra solar to the cooperative s overall resources, or you can take advantage of other ancillary services, such as any enhanced energy efficiency services, technology pilots and member education. Who is paying for the renewable energy installations and ongoing costs? The solar energy resources will be paid for by through a financing agreement. State and federal incentives provided for solar, such as tax credits and payments from the new Massachusetts solar incentive program (called SMART), and other compensation for renewable energy generation, will pay for the solar array(s) over time. This will help you use local renewable energy to save energy costs with no up-front payments. Once the systems are completely paid for, ownership will flip to the co-op. E4TheFuture also contributed resources to the initial startup of the Co-op, which is why there s no fee to become a member. Contact Us For more information, get in touch with us at: 10 Speen Street Suite 402 Framingham, MA Phone: ext ccep-tyringham@e4thefuture.org Web: