PSA: if you're concerned about electric costs rising, see if your town is part of a municipal aggregation program

Submitted by tzigane t3_xvtsjl in massachusetts

You can check here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/municipal-aggregation

Many cities and towns throughout MA are members of municipal aggregation programs that offer dramatically cheaper electricity than National Grid & Eversource - especially true when these companies raise their prices in the coming months.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Medford, where I live, has an agreement in place with prices going to ~$.15/kWh through Dec. 2024 while National Grid is going to ~$.31/kWh. The current pricing for both is ~$.11/kWh. Even better, I found out that I was already automatically enrolled in the program.

But the details of the programs vary by town, including the provider, the rates and (as far as I know) the need to opt in or out - so definitely double check the program for your town, as well as your electric bill to see if you are getting the best rate.

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mini4x t1_ir3c8fe wrote

I'm in Watertown and I'm on a town rate (.12999) but my neighbor can't find anywhere to sign up for it... This looks like it, Thanks!

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goose_juggler t1_ir3sg5w wrote

Burlington has suspended the program due to “market conditions.” 🤦‍♀️

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ChainmailleAddict t1_ir7mgrk wrote

Burlington can't even get their WATER under control, and they voted against someone who wanted to fix it because they'd rather have a wealthy neoliberal lawyer from Bedford jack up their utilities

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commentsOnPizza t1_ir44oha wrote

It could be that they didn't find any supplier willing to commit to a contract that was with a rate they thought was favorable. I think I noticed one town lock in an 18¢ rate for 2 years which probably won't be great for most people.

> due to market conditions, which prevented the Town from obtaining satisfactory aggregation pricing

If we're expecting around 34¢ this winter and then 11¢ for 18 months after that, locking in an 18¢ rate for 24 months might leave customers in a nice place this winter and an expensive place for a year and a half after that (assuming that most customers don't know they can opt out).

It's still a bit surprising, but it might be that they started negotiations a month or even a few weeks later than most towns and energy prices soared in the meantime. Europe is looking at a winter where it will be ungodly expensive to heat their homes - and Germany is still shutting down its nuclear plants despite the crazy energy prices they're seeing.

I'm still surprised that Burlington couldn't find a satisfactory price.

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commentsOnPizza t1_ir3m3ic wrote

One thing I'd note is that while 15¢ is likely to be a very good price this winter, it might not remain a good price over the two-year rate period. Medford's community aggregation doesn't lock you in so you can switch to an alternative provider in the future if prices fall.

https://energyswitchma.gov/ (note it's a dot-gov domain)

There are other non-community-based energy providers you can choose from. The cheapest for me is 18¢, but it's a 36-month contract with a $150 cancellation fee. If you expect your basic rate to be 34¢ (which is what National Grid is raising their's to), that's almost half off. Let's say your winter electric usage was $100/mo last year from November-May (6 months). If that's going to become 3x more this winter ($300/mo) with basic service, it might only be $160/mo at 18¢. Each month you'd save $140 which would be $840. Let's say energy prices come down after those 6 months and basic service is back to 11¢. You cancel, pay the $150 cancellation fee, and you've saved $690 in the process.

Even if it was only $30, $48 vs $90 means saving $252 and even after a $150 cancellation fee you come out $102 ahead.

Note: that's how much you're spending on supply of electricity, not your whole electric bill. Your electric bill will include charges for the electric supply, the delivery, and being hooked up.

This is not advice, but it's something to look into. We don't know what Eversource is going to be setting their rates for when they reset in January (they're currently around 18¢).

EDIT: Brookline's graph shows how the price of electricity fluctuates: https://i0.wp.com/brooklinegreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-3.png

You can see how Eversource's rate has been lower than Brookline's rate at times. Brookline's rate is overall cheaper and you can see how Eversource's rate has spiked in 2022. However, you can also see that Eversource's rate never went above 14¢ in that 2017-2021 range so it seems likely that the basic service will go back down below 14¢ over the next couple years - assuming that Russia doesn't decide to wage a 3 year war with Ukraine, global warming doesn't boil us all in the interim, and COVID doesn't mutate into Terminator machines. But you never know, maybe power will remain above the 15¢ two-year rates being negotiated now for the whole time.

I still think it's a good deal, especially since you can opt out of the community aggregation at any time (non-community power supply might involve a termination fee). I just think it's also a realistic price based on what people are guessing power prices might be over the next couple years.

I'd also note that while Brookline's pricing is a cost savings over Eversource's rates, it's usually not that much of a savings. Around 11.1 and 11.6 for Brookline vs 10.7/12.9/11.4/13.6/10.9/12.5/9.9/11.8/10.8 for Eversource - before Eversource skyrocketed in 2022. Overall, it's a good deal, but it's not usually an incredible deal. Power prices are just going crazypants this winter.

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Humburgur28 t1_ir3nazg wrote

After reading all that, I’m just curious about how you got a cent symbol

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commentsOnPizza t1_ir3zza3 wrote

If you're on a Mac with the globe key, just press that to bring up the emoji keyboard and search for "cent". If you're on a Mac without the globe key, Control+Command+Space will bring up the emoji keyboard. If you're on Windows/Linux, buy a Mac with the globe key and then press the globe key to bring up the emoji keyboard (yea, I just have no idea what to do on Linux/Windows for this).

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PakkyT t1_ir5nsys wrote

One trick with windows is you can type any ASCII code using holding down the Alt key and then on a numeric keypad (don't think it works on the line of numbers on the top) type in the ASCII code. So cents is 155 so ALT-155 gets you ¢

One I have memorized since I seem to use it a lot is the temperature dot. ALT-248 gives you ° so you can type in things like today it is 57°F outside.

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kelvin_bot t1_ir5ntzr wrote

57°F is equivalent to 13°C, which is 287K.

^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)

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kjmass1 t1_ism8o33 wrote

When does Brookline announce their rates? I see the program rate ends 12/31/2022.

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ShinjisFeels t1_ir3a9d4 wrote

Whoop where I am is on there as well. However if you do some reading it does say they can raise rates in the middle of an agreement.

"Rate may increase as a result of a change in law that results in a direct, material increase in costs during the term of the contract."

I'm sure an increase will have to be inevitable right?

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commentsOnPizza t1_ir3na3c wrote

No, an increase is unlikely. The rate may increase as a result of a change in law, not because energy prices are spiking. For example, let's say that Massachusetts passes a law that says "all energy suppliers must pay a 50¢ per kWh tax." Then the rate can change - the change in the law creates a direct, material increase in their costs - literally raising their costs by 50¢ per kWh. Likewise, maybe the state says, "the amount of green energy must go from 50% to 75%." That isn't quite as direct, but certainly direct enough.

They can't just raise rates because they want to in the middle of an agreement. However, no business would agree to a contract where the legislature could pile on taxes, fees, and all sorts of regulatory requirements while committing to a fixed price.

Also, the rates do change when the town renegotiates the rate at the end of the contract. The contracts are usually a couple years. If your town negotiated the rate in 2021, you got lucky and are probably locked in at 10-11¢. If your town had to negotiate this fall, it's probably 15¢.

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marmosetohmarmoset t1_ir3f1jx wrote

We switched to our town’s last year and not only is it cheaper it’s also all renewable energy. Win-win! Would recommend.

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ES5103 t1_ir3om7x wrote

Could anyone ELI5 the difference in options “desired product”.. Basic, No Extra Renewable Energy , 50% Local Green, 50% Extra Renewable Energy, 100% Local Green, 100% Extra Renewable Energy..? Are these sources where you’re getting your energy/electricity from ?

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OurLordGaben t1_ir43xmx wrote

So MA requires at least 20% of electric generation be renewable, and it goes up 2% YOY. So basic, you’re getting 20% renewables (which is the law). Green you get 50% more, so 70% total of your energy usage is renewable, and the top tier you’ll get 100% plus the 20% that is already mandated by law.

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trahoots t1_ir54sml wrote

> you’ll get 100% plus the 20% that is already mandated by law.

Wow, 120% renewable!

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xKimmothy t1_ir3rrdm wrote

Yes. Each company can offer separate rates for different sources. You can sign up for a supply that has different amounts of energy from different sources. There may be documentation about what renewables they use (wind, solar, hydro, etc.)

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Twombls t1_ir7ovgu wrote

The power you actually receive is still the same power from the same mix of sources. It just changes who your main provider pays for the power you buy.

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Twombls t1_ir7niyw wrote

Kind of, its who your main provider essentially pays for the electricity you "buy" from them. Its not like they physically route different cables to your house on a separate grid when you buy power from a different source. Under the retail choice energy market stuff its all really weird and theoretical. All the providers are doing really is buying and selling the electricity like stocks.

No matter who you chose you are still getting the same power as your neighbors.

The whole renewable energy choice thing is really just greenwashing they use to sell deregulation to people. In reality it has little to no actual effect on the power you receive. Unless of course everyone chose the renewable energy provider. But if everyone is collectively choosing the renewable energy you might as well have a town commission that does it for you as a full time job. And is able to negotiate better rates. 🤔 hmm I think I just invented public utilities.

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xKimmothy t1_ir3r9s9 wrote

Thank you Dedham for locking in a whopping $.108 per kWh until the end of 2023.

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Linux-Is-Best t1_ir3vg7m wrote

Not a single person I currently know (including myself), lives in any of the towns on your list. -- Figures. lol

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murph3699 t1_ir6dfnt wrote

I'm in Lowell and just checked we are already opted in, apparently, and our rate is locked in til 12/2024 at $0.14449 / kWh.

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Automatic_Sleep_4723 t1_ir3ce8o wrote

Of COURSE Norwood isn’t listed

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Roff_Bob t1_ir3f5vv wrote

>Of COURSE Norwood isn’t listed

Norwood's electricity is municipally regulated (Norwood Power and Light) so *might* not be included in Mass's aggregation law. Doesn't Town of Norwood already negotiate cost of electricity themselves through the town-owned electric utility. So you're already aggregated in the sense that the town is negotiating the cost of electricity for you, not an investor-owned utility like Eversource doing the negotiating.

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Ksevio t1_ir3hta8 wrote

Municipal power companies are even better than negotiating with National Grid. Used to have one and it had way better service at lower prices

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wittgensteins-boat t1_ir3o7qn wrote

Lower prices are in great part due to the Massachusetts Municipal Electric Wholesale Electric Company owning a significant portion of the Seabrook NH Nuclear Power Plant: 11.59%, on behalf of many municipal power and light companies in Massachusetts.

Reference:

SEABROOK STATION
Mass Municipal Electric Wholesale Electric Company
https://www.mmwec.org/our-energy-assets/seabrook-nuclear/

> MMWEC (11.59%) and two Massachusetts municipal utilities, the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (0.1%) and the Hudson Light & Power Department (0.08%).

> MMWEC’s Seabrook Project Participants include 28 Massachusetts municipal utilities based in the communities of Ashburnham, Boylston, Braintree, Danvers, Georgetown, Groton, Hingham, Holden, Holyoke, Hudson, Hull, Ipswich, Littleton, Mansfield, Marblehead, Middleborough, Middleton, North Attleborough, Paxton, Peabody, Reading, Shrewsbury, South Hadley, Sterling, Templeton, Wakefield, West Boylston and Westfield. The Pascoag (Rhode Island) Utility District also is an MMWEC Seabrook Project Participant.

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Automatic_Sleep_4723 t1_ir3jqzn wrote

Not that I and many others are aware of. There are many folks that have already seen almost double the usual cost of our electric bills and we haven’t even entered the coldest months.

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commentsOnPizza t1_ir3yqio wrote

Towns that are negotiating their aggregations this fall are seeing their rates jump 40-60% and they're going to stay high for two years (though maybe market prices will also stay high).

Norwood Power and Light is likely setting their rates every 6 months and so it's likely that Norwood will see a greater jump this winter while seeing prices come back down as the energy market cools (assuming it does).

Norwood Power and Light isn't a for-profit company trying to milk you for profits. They're your town.

I'd also note that Norwood's electric rates are $0.1199/kWh which is pretty great right now. However, that might go up in January. If people are "see[ing] almost double the usual cost of [their] electric bills" in Norwood, they're either using more electricity or forgetting how much they usually pay.

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Jayrandomer t1_ir4rq7n wrote

Norwood is municipal. You already have better rates. And town internet.

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Automatic_Sleep_4723 t1_ir4rvbp wrote

The internet service is horrible. Unless you’ve used it, perhaps you had a different (positive) customer experience. Many use Verizon.

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Jayrandomer t1_ir4tllw wrote

Didn’t know the town internet was terrible. None of the people I know in Norwood complained, but haven’t dealt with it myself. At the very least having it keeps Verizon honest (which is how I feel about Xfinity, which I refuse to use but am glad is at least available).

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[deleted] t1_ir40t11 wrote

Massachusetts is the Bestachusetts

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arborgent t1_ir657kb wrote

I live in Lancaster, but the supply rate offered through this program (~$.14) is higher than what National Grid offers (currently ~$.11). Even at Grid's highest supply rate about a year ago they were still cheaper. The term for my town ends Dec 2022, so maybe it will make more sense come the new year.

EDIT: I'm wrong. National Grid is raising supply rates starting November. By month theyll jumping from 11 cents in October to 28 to 36 to 40. Yikes. I'll be opting into the municipal agg program tonight. Probably won't help me much after new years but at least I'll be saving some money through December. Thankyou OP!

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joeltb t1_ir6schy wrote

I think I am enrolled already? On my bill I see:

Supply Services

Supplier:

NEXTERA ENERGY SRVCS(INSERT-MY-TOWN-HERE AGG)20455 STATE HIGHWAY 249SUITE 200HOUSTON, TX 77070.

According to the webpage, Nextera is my towns 'partner'.

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Maronita2020 t1_ir3p2yh wrote

Unfortunately my town is NOT listed.

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DunkinRadio t1_ir4zrxl wrote

Just watch out for the clipboard toting New Yorkers going door to door asking for your account number so they can "confirm you're getting the town rate" and then slamming you into another more expensive provider without your knowledge.

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itsgreater9000 t1_ir57bnt wrote

I live in an apartment complex, is it still possible to sign up for the program my town (Waltham) offers?

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Roff_Bob t1_ir88a7m wrote

Do you get your won electric bill from Eversource, NStar or whoever? If you do then you should be able to. Give it a try. The landlord should not care since it doesn't affect them. Also, the landlord will not be investigating every single electron to see who generated them so will never know. But if electricity is included in your rent then you aren't the utility's customer so you would not be able to sign up as far as I can figure.

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itsgreater9000 t1_ir88xul wrote

yeah I have to pay the electric bill and it's from eversource, so I'm going to try it out. thanks!

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HugryHugryHippo t1_ir5t9vl wrote

In Marlborough I wondered how I signed up for Inspire at .09 cents in my apartment and I must have opt-in without realizing it. Time to opt in again since it's better than my current National Grid rate of .11 cents!

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Sayoria t1_isav9zl wrote

Oh look at that. Being in QRepublican-town Whitman doesn't offer it. What a shock.

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emilyizaak t1_isfwdbn wrote

Hopefully somebody can help because I’m kind of confused here… I believe Amherst is associated with Pelham, but when I click Pelham, it says there isn’t any page contact. There’s a DPU number but I don’t know if I’m supposed to do anything with it, how to opt into anything or whether this applies to me…I have Eversource.

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Twombls t1_ir7l2y8 wrote

You guys gotta re utilitize your power. Fuck the energy trading fake stock market bs.

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