Pembroke Energy Program Announces New Supplier
PEMBROKE, MA – The Town of Pembroke has signed a twenty-four month contract with a new electricity supplier, First Point Power. The Pembroke Community Choice Power Supply Program, tailored to meet the specific needs of the Town’s electricity ratepayers will continue to offer the same options at new rates:
A standard plan that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 59.2% at a rate of $0.14750 per kWh.
An optional plan that meets MA Req plus uses 50% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at a rate of $0.16764 per kWh.
A second optional plan that involves the use of 100% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at a rate of $0.17723 per kWh.
For Pembroke residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s standard product, the current rate of $0.10529 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.14750 per kWh will take effect with the November 2023 meter reads. This represents an increase of $25 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is approximately 19 percent lower than National Grid’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rates of $0.18213 per kWh. Residents with National Grid can expect to see an average monthly savings of $21 through July 2024*. Eversource’s rates will change on January 1, 2024 and should be known in late-November. Historically, Eversource’s winter rates have been higher than their summer rates.
“Pembroke residents will have a real impact on how much energy is produced in the region,” said William Chenard, Pembroke Town Manager, “We see the impact climate change is having on the world every day and taking positive steps to reduce that impact is imperative. Combining that with the ability to provide savings on residents’ electricity costs this winter is a win for the community”.
Pembroke launched its electricity program in November 2020 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through May 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $6.9 million 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 December 2023 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the “Supply Services” section of their monthly bill.
Those currently enrolled in Pembroke’s standard product will continue to be enrolled in the standard product, but at the new rate, and those currently enrolled in either of the optional green products will continue to be enrolled in that optional green product, also at the new rate.
The Pembroke 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 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.
Eversource customers who meet certain means criteria can qualify to receive a discount on their electric bills. To learn more, please visit eversource.com/content/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance/discount-rate.
Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/pembroke or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Pembroke’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.