Print
Share page with AddThis

Public Notice: Power Supply Program

*******************PUBLIC NOTICE*******************

THE TOWN OF NEW SALEM’S

COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER SUPPLY PROGRAM

RATE INCREASE NOTIFICATION

The Town of New Salem has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. The New Salem Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 62.3% at a rate of $0.14159 per kWh. It will also continue to offer an optional product that uses 100% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates at a rate of $0.18092 per kWh.

For New Salem residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s standard product, the current rate of $0.09433 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.14159 per kWh will take effect with the January 2024 meter reads. This represents an increase of $28 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is 22 percent lower than National Grid’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.18213 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $24 per month for the months of January 2024 through July 2024*.

“Even though the cost of electricity has increased since the last time we were in the market, we are pleased to announce that we are still able to offer rates that provide savings from the start and offers stability for the next two years,” said Kathy Neal, New Salem Town Coordinator.

New Salem launched its electricity program in August 2020 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through June 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $489,000 in electricity costs as compared to Basic Service.

It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. This change will be seen on the February 2024 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product selection and see the new rate under the “Supply Services” section of their monthly bill.

The New Salem Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

National Grid has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs.

Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/new-salem or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about New Salem’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change your current product selection.

*Normally, the term would be through April 2024 but this is a transition term. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an Order on September 1, 2023 that requires National Grid change its residential and small business Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices and differences across electric distribution companies. [See mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates.]

ABOUT COLONIAL POWER GROUP: Based in Marlborough, Mass., Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation-consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.

CONTACT:    Kathy Neal, Town Coordinator, 978-544-6437, Mark Cappadona, Colonial Power, 508-485-5858  ext. 3

OPTIONAL GREEN PRODUCT – You may OPT-IN to the 100% MA Class I RECs product at any time by visiting colonialpowergroup.com/new-salem or calling Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 and asking to be enrolled.

BUDGET PLAN OR ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME RATE CONSUMERS will continue to receive those benefits from National Grid.

SOLAR PANEL AND COMMUNITY SOLAR CONSUMERS will continue to receive net metering or on-bill credits while receiving electricity supply under the Program and the value of these credits will not be altered by participating in the Program.

ANY APPLICABLE TAXES WILL BE BILLED as part of the Program’s power supply charge. You will be responsible for identifying and requesting an exemption from the collection of taxes by providing appropriate documentation.

TAX EXEMPT SMALL BUSINESS CONSUMERS must send, email or fax a copy of their Energy Exemption Certificate directly to Dynegy Energy Services Attn: Customer Care at P.O. Box 650764, Dallas, TX 75265 or Salestax_geotax@vistraenergy.com (email) or (866) 257-1795 (fax) in order to maintain their tax exempt status.

IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THIS PROGRAM you may OPT-IN at colonialpowergroup.com/new-salem OR call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 and ask to be enrolled. If you are currently contracted with your own Competitive Supplier, you should confirm with them that you will not incur any early termination fees or penalties for leaving their supply.

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE you must OPT-OUT at colonialpowergroup.com/new-salem, click the OPT-OUT button and follow the instructions specified OR call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696.

TO ACCESS NATIONAL GRID’S BASIC SERVICE RATES please visit:

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the Program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

Colonial Power Group, Inc. is an energy consulting company chosen on a competitive basis by the Town of New Salem to facilitate the Community Choice Power Supply Program. For more detailed information, call us toll-free at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.