That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and all other relevant departments to engage with community groups and the City’s existing multi-member bodies to design the next iteration of the Cambridge Community Electricity Aggregation program

O-11 FIRST IN COUNCIL February 6, 2023 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN MAYOR SIDDIQUI VICE MAYOR MALLON WHEREAS: The Cambridge Community Electricity Aggregation (CCA) program is currently a two-tiered electricity purchasing initiative with the Standard Product, which residents and businesses are automatically enrolled in on an opt-out basis, and the Green+ product which is an option for those who want to purchase 100% renewable electricity; and WHEREAS: The program offers as the default standard offering the minimum required renewable energy percent currently 22% plus a .002 cents/kWh additional charge, with a 100% renewable opt-in program; and WHEREAS: The city’s standard plan renewable energy percent is below most nearby municipalities, including Boston, Watertown, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, Waltham, Salem & Lexington, all at approximately the same price/kWh; and WHEREAS: According to Peregrine Energy Group, who oversees implementation of the program and maintains account-level database of customer data, indicate that there is a three- to six-month window between account changes and implementation, so the ability to make program changes takes time even for consumers who want to opt-into the Green Plus plan; and WHEREAS: The 2021 Climate Crisis Working Group recommended making the default standard option for CCA a 100% renewable electricity offering; and WHEREAS: The City’s 2021 Net Zero Action Plan Update indicates that the Community Choice Aggregation program is supportive of the Energy Supply action item and the report specifically calls for the City to utilize and improve upon the electric aggregation program; and WHEREAS: The CCA program’s 36-month electricity supply contract runs through January 2024 which means the city will be negotiating a new program this year; and WHEREAS: Before the next iteration of the CCA, the City should work with The Climate Community and include input from groups such as the Net Zero Action Taskforce, the Climate Crisis Working Group, and Green Cambridge, to inform the development of an RFP and contract specifications; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department and all other relevant departments to engage with community groups and the City’s existing multi-member bodies to design the next iteration of the Cambridge Community Electricity Aggregation program to consider setting a default, opt-out option of 100% renewable electricity and maintain an opt-in option at a lower rate at the minimum renewable percent; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the status of the outreach to community groups and the program development within 6 months.