Municipal Aggregation Opt In / Opt Out Info

BUCKLAND ENERGY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES NEW RATES

The Town of Buckland has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. The Buckland 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 as well as one new option:

• A standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 62.3% at a rate of $0.14159 per kWh.
• An optional product that meets MA Req plus uses an additional 38% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.14302 per kWh.
• [NEW] A second optional product that meets MA Req plus uses an additional 50% Massachusetts Class I RECs at a rate of $0.16112 per kWh.

For Buckland residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s standard product, the current rate of $0.09345 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 $29 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is 11 percent lower than Eversource’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.15845 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $10 per month for the months of January 2024 through July 2024*.

“Although the Program rate is increasing due to market conditions, we are pleased that it will still offer savings over the Basic Service price and provide stability thereby insulating ratepayers from market fluctuations,” said Heather Butler, Buckland Town Administrator, “In addition, by providing an additional green option, residents and businesses have more options to reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease their carbon emissions.”

Buckland 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 $525,000 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 offering and see the new rate under the “Supplier Services” section of their monthly bill. If you would like to choose the Town’s new optional product, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/buckland to opt-in.

The Buckland 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 Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

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/buckland or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Buckland’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 June 2024 but this is a transition term. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an Order on September 1, 2023 that requires Eversource 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.]

In September 2023 the Select Board voted to endorse House Bill 3853 an Act to support municiapl aggregation, preseving the rights of cities and towns to provide electrical programs to their citizens - often at a rate significantly below that of Eversource or National Grid. 

The Board also voted to send comments the Department of Public Utilities about a proposed turn in the rules of aggregation for municipalities. On August 15, the DPU issued a detailed set of proposed “guidelines” for municipal aggregations which seek to establish rules governing program operations, which includes approved, currently active plans like ours.  The DPU claims that the “guidelines”, along with a template form Aggregation Plan, will facilitate its review of new and amended plan filings.  [See DPU 23-67;  eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DPU/Fileroom/dockets/bynumber].

Colonial Power, Buckland's Municiapal Aggreation program managers, have serious concerns with what the DPU is proposing.  Not only does it solidify (and even worsen) the DPU’s micro-management of program operations, but it further limits local flexibility/control and adds more restrictions for new programs who petition for approval to launch.  Municipal aggregations are town/city run programs and each municipality should have the ability to decide how their program operates.  The fear is that the DPU’s “guidelines” and template will interfere with that and, ultimately, hinder program operations. This has been a very successful program for Buckland residents, saving participants money on their monthly electric bills since its inception.

Copies of those documents, as well as quarterly reports of Buckland's participation are below.

HISTORY OF PROGRAM

In October 2020 the Town of Buckland's Select Board voted to "opt in" to a Municipal Aggregation program to offer residents the option to participate in cooperative electrical power supply program. 

A copy of the Public Notice and comparable rates, effective Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2024 can be reviewed here.  You can also read the program FAQ here. 

Although the initial rollout was a success with many Buckland residents particating there was, as to be some hesitation by others. With Eversource's 2023 rate increases there is renewed interest in the Aggregration Program. 

Buckland residents have two options thru the aggregation supply company, Dynegy. 

1. The Standard (default) rate $0.08710 / kWh$0.09345 / kWh 

2. The "green" Optional rate $0.08798 / kWH$0.09433 / kWh, which offers 100% National Wind RECs100% National Wind RECs

To enroll or find out more call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 and ask to be enrolled in Buckland’s Standard or Optional Green Product. You can opt out at anytime by calling the same number and asking to be removed from Buckland's Aggregation Program. 

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION regarding Buckland’s Program, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/buckland or call us toll-free at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1. 

To learn more about Dynegy, please visit https://www.dynegy.com/municipal-aggregation/communities-we-serve/massac...

TO ACCESS EVERSOURCE’S BASIC SERVICE RATES please use the following links.
Residential Rates 
Business Rates 

Please see documents below to view quarterly reports issued by Colonial Power Group.