by Tony Gray
posted 30 June 2021

WHITEHALL, NY --- The energy company Constellation informed town officials it will stop serving Whitehall residential and small customer after the current contract expires, next year.

"Right now, they provide electricity at a really reasonable rate," said Town Councilman David Hollister, adding "we'll have to look for another provider." Hollister explained that whatever energy company ends up supplying power to local residents, energy will still flow over National Grid lines. New York customers pay the energy supplier (which is currently Constellation) the KwH charge their contract specifies and then a fee is added to the bill to pay National Grid for delivering the energy.

The Public Service Utility Commission issued new regulations that prompted Constellation's decision to not renew New York contracts, according to a company spokeswoman. "If customers do not select their own fixed rate plan at the end of a fixed rate contract, we do not auto-renew them. They are moved to a monthly variable rate plan and that is no longer allowed in New York."

After the contract's end, current customers will be returned to what is called the standard offer service, which basically means the energy utility. For most Whitehall customers that will mean a return to National Grid.