CHESHIRE ENERGY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES NEW RATE
CHESHIRE, MA – The Town of Cheshire has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. Beginning with the November 2023 meter reads, the Cheshire Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.15051 per kWh.
For Cheshire residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s Program, the current rate of $0.09950 per kWh will expire with the November 2023 meter reads and the new rate of $0.15051 per kWh will take effect. This represents an increase of $31 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is approximately 17 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 $19 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.
"We recognize that electricity rates overall have increased markedly over the past three years,” said Jennifer Morse, Cheshire Town Administrator. “Yet we are still able to offer rates that are not only stable but will offer savings to our residents this winter.”
Cheshire launched its electricity program in May 2016 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through May 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.8 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 under the “Supply Services” section of their monthly bill.
The Cheshire 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/cheshire or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Cheshire’s Community Choice Power Supply Program or to opt-in or opt-out.
*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: Jennifer Morse, Town Administrator (413) 743-1690 or Mark Cappadona, Colonial Power Group (508) 485-5858 x. 3