BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – Community outreach is underway to inform residents what community choice aggregation has to offer.

A 30-minute information session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. preceding the monthly meeting of the Canton Village Board. Residents may also join from home online or by phone: find the link and phone number at https://cantonny.gov/events/

Additional sessions are scheduled:

Sunday, Feb. 19 at 4 pm - Online or by phone

Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/can2-19 - Meeting ID: 868 0809 3363

One tap mobile: +16469313860,,86808093363# US

Or call: 1 929 205 6099

Wednesday, Mar 8, 7:30 pm – Online or by phone

Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/can3-8

Meeting ID: 860 2317 0580

One tap mobile: +13092053325,,86023170580# US

Or call: +1 929 205 6099

You can also find more information at https://www.joulecommunitypower.com/cantonvillage

Or call the helpline at (888) 985-2211, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The village has been approached by Joule Community Power, a form which administers a large number of community choice aggregation power arrangements for municipalities throughout the state.

Proemm had earlier provided a brief summary of the Joule program.

“By sourcing all renewable energy, we'll both save money for residents, or we won't do it) and lessen the burning of fossil fuels, thereby lowering our carbon footprint, minimizing climate impacts,” he said. “To clarify the actual energy purchase scenario, the decision on whether to go ahead with an energy "buy" will be made well after extensive public outreach/education, and after we've carefully examined the rates and conditions of the energy purchase, and we're convinced it is a good rate and is secure.”

“All residents will have the ability to opt out, both at the start, and at any time after. A letter will go out to all Village residents explaining options before the purchase happens,” Proemm continued.

The contract that the Village of Canton (and the Town of Potsdam) has with Joule Community Power is for them to be our CCA administrator. The power purchase contract will potentially come much later, probably in the fall, after the public outreach and thorough review, Proemm remarked.

To date, there is no contract in place.