METHUEN COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER SUPPLY PROGRAM
City of Methuen Aggregation Plan
COMING SOON!
(PENDING STATE APPROVAL)
The Methuen Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program. According to Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134), municipal aggregation enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with an alternative electricity supply. Once in place, the local government can monitor and set its own energy related goals for the program such as savings, stability or green options. Consumers are no longer “stuck” with the cost and fluctuation of the utility’s Basic Service rates because the program offers them another option.
This Program will only affect the supply portion of your monthly bill. It will not affect the delivery portion. National Grid will continue to deliver your electricity but Methuen, using a competitive bid process, will have chosen the supplier for the Program.
The City of Methuen will work with Colonial Power Group to monitor the electricity market and solicit bids from various competitive suppliers. This page will be updated with more details once the supplier has been chosen.
You will not notice any change in your electricity service.
You will continue to receive one bill from National Grid. You will continue to send your payments to National Grid for processing. National Grid will continue to respond to emergencies, read meters and maintain the distribution and transmission lines. Reliability and quality of service will remain the same. Furthermore, you will continue to have all existing consumer rights and protections.
The only noticeable difference will be in the appearance of your National Grid bill.
If you receive a notification letter
You will not need to take any action to participate in the Program. All Basic Service consumers that receive a notification letter and do not opt-out will be enrolled in the Program.
If you do not receive a notification letter
You will be able to opt-in at any time once the supplier has been chosen. This page will be updated with more details once a supplier has been chosen.
If you have a budget plan or eligible low-income delivery rate
You will continue to receive those benefits.
If you have solar panels
You will continue to receive your net metering credits.
If you have already chosen a competitive supplier on your own
You must opt-out of this Program. This will ensure you continue to get your electricity from that Competitive Supplier. If you wish to leave that Competitive Supplier to be part of the Program, before opting-in, we suggest that you verify with that Competitive Supplier that they will not charge you any fees or penalties for leaving their supply service.
If you have already chosen a green power supply option on your own
You must opt-out of this Program. This will ensure you continue to get your electricity from that Green Power Supply.
If you are a tax exempt small business consumer
You must send a copy of your Energy Exemption Certificate directly to the chosen supplier. This page will be updated with those details once a supplier has been chosen.
If you do not wish to participate in this program
You may:
1) Opt-out and continue paying National Grid’s Basic Service rate; or
2) Opt-out and choose your own Competitive Supplier (if one is available to you).
How to OPT-OUT
Included with the notification letter will be an OPT-OUT card. Within 30 days of receipt of the notification letter, fill out, sign, and return the card in the enclosed postage paid envelope OR this page will be updated with more details once a supplier has been chosen..
Any time after enrollment
You can still opt-out with NO CHARGE. It may take a couple of billing cycles before you are back on National Grid’s Basic Service.
Savings not guaranteed
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.
No fees
There are no enrollment, early termination, or cancellation fees attached to the Program. 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.
If you fail to pay your bill in a timely manner
Consistent with the requirements of Massachusetts law, you may be switched back to National Grid’s Basic Service.
