DPU green-lights ‘Canton Electricity Choice’

Tom Birmingham, head of the town’s Energy Advisory Committee, informed the Select Board Tuesday night that the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has accepted Canton’s application for its electrical aggregation program, called Canton Electricity Choice.

Utilized by more than 150 Massachusetts communities, municipal aggregation programs enable cities and towns to purchase electricity supply on behalf of residents and businesses. By purchasing in bulk, communities can negotiate more favorable prices on greener electricity while providing consumers with a range of rate options based on the percentage of electricity that comes from renewable sources.

Realizing that residents need much more explanation about the program, Select Board members were hesitant to set a launch date, with options including May 9, June 9 or October 9.

However, the DPU needs a compliance filing by January 26 and in a 3-2 vote, the board approved designating Town Administrator Charles Doody to be the decision maker regarding the voluntary percentage and type of renewable energy credits to include in the program and to be the signatory for the electricity supply contract on behalf of the Canton Electricity Choice Program. Voting in opposition were board members JR McCourt and John Connolly, who felt that they should delay a decision until their next meeting so residents could have a chance to voice their concerns.

Doody will make his decision after consultation with the Select Board and the Energy Advisory Committee.

With the approval from the board, the committee and its advisor, Mass. Power Choice, will now begin planning for a formal launch and a public information campaign. Birmingham said a decision on the start date will depend on a review of electricity supply prices.

Even after the program is underway, Birmingham said Eversource will continue to be the printer of electric bills and will still be responsible for the maintenance of electric lines.

Residents have the choice of opting in or out of the program and can reenter at a later date. The program will offer three rate tiers, including a basic rate as well as two tiers with a higher percentage of renewable green energy. The term of the rates can be anywhere from 12 to 36 months and will be decided by the Select Board and Energy Advisory Committee.

If the board chooses to go with the earliest start date for the launch of the program, residents will receive opt-in/out notices beginning March 13 …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 26 2024. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.