SB to consider municipal energy aggregation

The Canton Select Board is mulling whether it should bring to the next town meeting a proposal for residents to opt into municipal energy aggregation. The town would negotiate with an electrical supplier for the best price and residents would be able to share in that lowered cost. The supplier would continue to be Eversource, who could also negotiate on the price.

The consultant proposing the program is MassPower Choice, whose services would be built into the cost of electricity. Already 160 communities in Massachusetts have agreed to municipal aggregation and many nearby communities are either considering it or have already approved it.

Representatives of MassPower said the primary benefit is long-term price stability along with the potential — but no guarantees — for lower prices. The second benefit is consumer protection from companies who prey on lower-income families with promises of savings but do not deliver on what they guarantee. A third benefit is more renewable sustainability credits.

The process begins with a town meeting article authorizing the Select Board to pursue energy aggregation for the town and educate residents about prices and services. If the board and residents approve, it would then be submitted to state regulators for final approval with an estimated wait of four months to a year before enactment.

The town could sign a contract with a minimum term of one year and then opt out in the future.

Town Planner Laura Smead, who brought the proposal to the board, said that municipal aggregation is “about choice,” increased chances for lower costs, and a higher level of sustainable energy.

Select Board members said they want to discuss the idea with Finance Director Randy Scollins, who has experience in dealing with this kind of contract. The proposal received support Tuesday night from Christine Smith of the town’s Sustainability Committee and Jennifer Wexler of the nonprofit group Canton Residents for a Sustainable, Equitable Future.

In other news from the November 10 Select Board meeting:

* Select Board Chair John Connolly announced that the town has received a temporary occupancy permit for town employees to open the newly renovated Metropolis Skating Rink. Connolly said the contractor is finishing up a punch list of construction items and the rink could open for youth hockey practices as early as next week.

* Municipal leaders met this week to begin mapping put plans for the 2021 annual town meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of May 22-23 with a rain date of June 5-6. The meeting would be held on the CHS turf field as it was done this past June and would begin in the late morning or afternoon. Plans calls for articles that were postponed in June to be considered …

See this week’s print edition for a full recap of the November 10 Select Board meeting. Fall Subscription Promo: $30 for 1 year or $50 for 2 years for new in-town subscribers. Click here to subscribe today.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Nov 13 2020. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.