WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. By John F. Bailey January 9, 2017:

According to a representative of Coned Solutions this morning, (contacted by a customer of ConEd Solutions), Constellation New Energy, Inc will renegotiate the Clean Energy rate and basic rates with the City of White Plains in May-June of 2018.

The representative said that Constellation has access to more clean energy producing sources such as wind and solar and nuclear power that may result in lowering the Clean Energy rate currently charged White Plains customers (7.76 cents per kwh), however the rate would be negotiated based on the highest demand rate expected, and other factors.

It is unclear if the same rate will be charged  in mid 2018 for all 24 cities, or different rates would be charged to all 24 cities, based on each city usage. The Media Relations Department of Constellation is seeking to clarify this question at WPCNR request.

Sustainable Westchester has been contacted by WPCNR as to whether Sustainable Westchester knew when it selected ConEd Solutions that Consolidated Edison was engaged in preparations to divest the ConEd Solutions subsidiary.

Bob McGee, Director of Media Relations for Consolidated Edision , told WPCNR the selling of ConEd Solutions was “strictly a business alignment strategy,” and had nothing to do with ConEd Solutions capacity to generate clean energy-created electricity. He deferred comment to Constellation New Energy, Inc.

In July of 2016, WPCNR notes based on Con Edison information on electricity used that an all-time annual high was reached in July 2016, the first year of the ConEd Solutions contract with Sustainable Westchester, (which began in June, 2016). Sustainable Westchester is the group that acquired the customers of 24 Westchester cities as a customer base  for Sustainable Westchester to supply electricity based on the cities collective conglomerate purchasing power.

WPCNR called the White Plains Mayor’s Office to ask whether, when the new Sustainable Westchester ConEd Solutions (now a subsidiary of Constellation New Energy) green rates and basic rates would be one rate for all cities in the consortium of 24 cities, or whether White Plains would have a specific rate. So for today there has been not answer from the Mayor’s Office. The Mayor’s Office was also asked whether White Plains knew or was told ConEd Solutions would be changing hands or in the process of being divested by Consolidatied Edison.

In a news release of July 27, 2017, when Constellation announced the acqusition, they said that “The terms of the agreement were not released.” And to this date they have not been made public.

On the ConEd Solutions website, Constellation New Energy explains their acquisition this way:

“4. What is the strategic and financial rationale for this acquisition (of ConEd Solutions)?

As of closing, ConEdison Solutions had longstanding customer relationships and a network of channel partners across 13 states plus the District of Columbia. ConEdison Solutions served 559,000 mass market and 2,500 C&I retail electricity and natural gas supply customers, making its retail energy organization a perfect strategic fit for Constellation that creates opportunities to reach more customers and grow the business.

• This acquisition provided Constellation with the unique opportunity to grow the retail business and enhance our strategy of matching power generation with customer load.
• This transaction allowed us to leverage our scale to remain competitive in the current market environment and drive value through opportunistic, targeted growth.
• ConEdison Solutions’ retail business had strong customer relationships, which enhances renewal opportunities.
• The acquisition scaled our business in a competitive environment.

5. What benefits might I see from the new company in the future?

Our customers will benefit from the combined organization’s ability to offer long-term contracts, competitive prices and Constellation’s broad array of energy products and services. Increased scale  is expected to bring more innovation and clean energy supply offerings to more customers.

6. Will customers and coordinators of municipal aggregation programs be impacted?

Participants in municipal aggregation programs will continue to be served under the terms of their existing agreements.

11. Will I still be a customer? Will my rates, contract terms, or account information change?

Until the integration is complete in your market, you will remain a customer of ConEdison Solutions. If you have received your invoice from and made payments to ConEdison Solutions in the past, you will continue to do so. If you have been billed by and made payments to your utility that will not change.

No changes are being made to a customer’s contract term, price, or terms and conditions of service as a result of this change.

13. Can I now change my rate or terms or cancel my ConEdison Solutions contract?

No. Current contracts are still legally binding. If you would like to discuss additional options, please contact your existing sales representative or Customer Care.

• Your current contract will not be affected in any way. Your contract terms remain exactly the same. You do not need to take any action.
• All of the same Terms of Service from your original contract with ConEdison Solutions still apply. [Note – You will still be charged an Early Termination Fee, if applicable, for cancelling a fixed rate plan by switching providers before your contract end date.]
• If you are currently on a fixed rate, your rate will continue to be determined by the contract you signed with ConEdison Solutions. This transaction does not cause an increase in your rates.
• Variable rate plan customers will continue to have prices that may fluctuate from month to month.

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Four inches of snow fell Saturday in White Plains and Winter moved in with 20 degree temperature this morning. Roads were cleared quite efficiently by the Department of Public Works Saturday afternoon and evening.

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NOW ON THE INTERNET

ON A SPECIAL

PEOPLE TO BE HEARD

YOU’VE GOT

CORA GREENBERG

JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF “THE CHILDREN’S LOBBY”

WESTCHESTER CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION

ON

THE GUN SHOW BAN CONTROVERSY

FIREARMS AS A CHILDREN’S HEALTH ISSUE

ELIMINATING CHARGING TEENAGERS UNDER 18 WITH FELONIES

MOVING FELONY OFFENSES COMMITTED BY TEENS TO FAMILY COURT

THE ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES

PREPARING TEENAGERS FOR THE WORKPLACE

AND MORE

SEE THIS TIMELY SHOW ON YOUTUBE INSTANTLY AT

https://youtu.be/axEz0lqRbB0

or at

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Benjamin Boykin, County Legislator 5th District. January 5, 2017:

Legislation Labor/Parks/Planning/Housing, and Public Safety & Social Services committees have voted to recommend that the full Board of Legislators hold a vote on ID# 9417, an act amending the Laws of Westchester County to prohibit participation in a gun show on County-owned property. This Act was first proposed by Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) in 2010 and has since been sponsored by every member of the Democratic caucus. This Vote will take place on Monday, January 9th, 7pm, on the 8th Floor of the Westchester County Office Building, 148 Martine Ave. in White Plains. While the bill has moved through the process successfully so far, we need your help to get to the finish line. I believe that the use of County funds and facilities to host a gun show is not in the best interests of the residents of Westchester. A ban on gun shows at the County Center, where one is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, was County policy from 1999-2010. County Executive Astorino lifted the ban upon taking office, and a gun show was held in 2012, but however a subsequent gun show was cancelled following the tragedy that took place in Sandy Hook. The plan for the 2017 show was only made public in the days during the pre-holiday lull even though the show had been scheduled for months. Please contact your friends and family to let them know of this important vote. Make sure everyone you know who supports this cause makes their voice heard by contacting the County Executive and their County Legislator and by attending the vote next Monday. Together, we can say enough is enough and take a strong stand against the proliferation of guns in our community.

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. January 4, 2017:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the impact of potential repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on health care coverage of New Yorkers and the state budget.

If the repeal of the Affordable Care Act were enacted, an estimated 2.7 million New Yorkers would lose coverage and New York State would experience a direct state budget impact of $3.7 billion and a loss of nearly $600 million of federal funding that goes directly to counties, which they use to help lower property taxes.

“The cost of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, to state and local budgets and to the New Yorkers who depend on its health care coverage, is simply too high to justify,” Governor Cuomo said.

“Since its implementation, the Affordable Care Act has become a powerful tool to lower the cost of health insurance for local governments and New Yorkers, and it is essential that the federal government does not jeopardize the health and livelihoods of millions of working families.”

The NY State of Health exchange has successfully cut the percentage of uninsured New Yorkers in half, from 10 percent to 5 percent.

It has also significantly expanded eligibility and access to health coverage, allowing hundreds of thousands of previously uninsured New Yorkers to achieve economic and healthcare security.

Based on current enrollment levels, the repeal of the Affordable Care Act would result in over 2.7 million New Yorkers losing health coverage. The estimated number of individuals at risk of losing coverage, based on current enrollment levels, is broken down by counties below:

The estimated direct state budget impact of the repeal is $3.7 billion. New York’s counties have been able to use the additional federal Medicaid funding through the Affordable Care Act, which goes to directly to counties and helps to lower property taxes.

A repeal of the Affordable Care Act would result in a total loss of $595 million in funding. A county by county breakdown of the allocated annual funding that each county would lose is available below, based on the most recent year:

George Gresham, President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said, “New York’s healthcare workers see the positive impact of the Affordable Care Act every day. Our patients are able to access preventative care instead of coming to emergency rooms in states of advanced illness.

Our employers have reduced losses from uncompensated care. Our friends and relatives are relieved of the fear that getting sick equals financial ruin.

Repealing the Affordable Care Act without an adequate replacement would have immediate and devastating consequences for millions of our fellow New Yorkers and for state and local budgets. We applaud Governor Cuomo’s leadership in educating New Yorkers about costs and are proud to stand with him to advocate for the health all New Yorkers,”

Greater New York Hospital Association President Kenneth E. Raske said,

“These deeply troubling numbers are only the tip of the iceberg if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. It will also severely harm the hospital community. 27 hospitals across New York State are on a ‘watch list’ for financial stress and many more both public and private face similar fiscal challenges.

Repealing the Affordable Care Act without an immediate and adequate replacement plan will make things dramatically worse for safety net hospitals and the vulnerable communities they serve. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and look forward to working with the bipartisan members of the New York Congressional delegation to ensure that the health care of all New Yorkers is protected.”

Bea Grause, President of the Healthcare Association of New York, said,

“In addition to providing care to those in need, hospitals are major employers in communities all across the state. Repeal of the ACA could have tremendous consequences for the delivery of healthcare and also in terms of jobs and economic activity. It’s imperative that Congress be mindful of this reality. I’m pleased to join the Governor in this important effort to protect New Yorkers.”