Pittsfield Announces New Energy Program Rates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. 
 
The Pittsfield Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 62.3 percent at a rate of $0.13849 per kWh. It will also continue to offer an optional product that uses 100 percent Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates at a rate of $0.16729 per kWh.
 
For Pittsfield residents and businesses who are enrolled in the City's standard product, the current rate of $0.09603 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.13849 per kWh will take effect with the January 2024 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 13 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 $12 per month for the months of January 2024 through July 2024.
 
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.]
 
"Although the Program rate is increasing due to market conditions, we are pleased that it will still offer savings over the Basic Service price offered. In addition, the new rate will be locked in for the term of the contract and will provide stability thereby insulating ratepayers from market fluctuations," said Mayor Linda Tyer.
 
Pittsfield launched its electricity program in January 2018 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 $16.6 million in electricity costs as compared to Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product selection and see the new rate under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill. This change will be seen on the February 2024 bills.
 
The Pittsfield 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 http://colonialpowergroup.com/pittsfield/ or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Pittsfield's Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change your current product selection.
 

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Letter: Is the Select Board Listening to Dalton Voters?

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

A reasonable expectation by the people of a community is that their Select Board rises above personal preference and represents the collective interests of the community. On Tuesday night [Nov. 12], what occurred is reason for concern that might not be true in Dalton.

This all began when a Select Board member submitted his resignation effective Oct. 1 to the Town Clerk. Wishing to fill the vacated Select Board seat, in good faith I followed the state law, prepared a petition, and collected the required 200-plus signatures of which the Town Clerk certified 223. The Town Manager, who already had a copy of the Select Board member's resignation, was notified of the certified petitions the following day. All required steps had been completed.

Or had they? At the Oct. 9 Select Board meeting when Board members discussed the submitted petition, there was no mention about how they were informed of the petition or that they had not seen the resignation letter. Then a month later at the Nov. 12 Select Board meeting we learn that providing the resignation letter and certified petitions to the Town Manager was insufficient. However, by informing the Town Manager back in October the Select Board had been informed. Thus, the contentions raised at the Nov. 12 meeting by John Boyle seem like a thinly veiled attempt to delay a decision until the end of January deadline to have a special election has passed.

If this is happening with the Special Election, can we realistically hope that the present Board will listen to the call by residents to halt the rapid increases in spending and our taxes that have been occurring the last few years and pass a level-funded budget for next year, or to not harness the taxpayers in town with the majority of the cost for a new police station? I am sure these issues are of concern to many in town. However, to make a change many people need to speak up.

Please reach out to a Select Board member and let them know you are concerned and want the Special Election issue addressed and finalized at their Nov. 25 meeting.

Robert E.W. Collins
Dalton, Mass.

 

 

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