Energy aggregation program cleared for launch
By Mike BergerThe Canton Select Board on Tuesday gave Town Administrator Charles Doody the go-ahead to launch the town’s municipal energy aggregation program, Canton Electricity Choice, as early as Wednesday, March 13, if he can find rates that are less than or equal to Eversource’s basic rate.
The board voted unanimously to approve the Competitive Procurement Process Guidelines outlined by Tom Birmingham, chair of the Canton Energy Advisory Committee.
Birmingham said the decision by the Select Board provides Doody with the necessary policy guidance he needs to execute an agreement with an electricity supplier — assuming he finds terms that are favorable and that meet the town’s municipal energy aggregation goals of stable or lower pricing with a certain minimum percentage derived from renewable sources.
If Doody finds the market suitable on March 13 and executes an agreement, residents could see the new rates in their June bills. If he decides not to sign an agreement, the next opportunity to gauge the market will be in October.
In either case, Eversource remains the distributor of electricity and will continue to maintain the power lines.
With the board’s approval, the Energy Advisory Committee, working in conjunction with the town’s hired consultant, Mass Power Choice, can now move forward with its public notification and educational outreach plan, which will consist of media releases, assorted mailers, and information disseminated on social media and on the program’s website, CantonElectricityChoice.com.
Once the program is launched, the default option for Canton’s electric customers will be the middle rate tier (Standard Green), which they will be automatically enrolled in. They can also choose to “opt up” to the highest tier (Canton Plus Green), “opt down” to the lowest tier (Canton Basic), or “opt out” of the program and stay with Eversource.
Every resident will receive a separate mailing describing all of the options, and residents will be able to make their selection online, by telephone, or by mailing back a reply card. Residents can opt out at any time in the future with no fee or penalty …
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Posted by Mike Berger
on Mar 14 2024. Filed under News, Town Government.
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