Source: amherstma.gov
Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Sustainability Director Stephanie Ciccarello announced on July 19 a new program that will be offered to Amherst residents and businesses this fall that will lower energy costs in an environmentally sustainable way.
Amherst, along with Northampton and Pelham, have signed electricity supply contracts with First Point Power that will enable the launch of Valley Green Energy. The program, a regional group electricity buying program developed to provide the dual benefits of cleaner electricity and stable prices to residents and businesses in all three communities, launches this November. Program prices will be fixed until November 2026, providing 24 months of stable pricing and protection from seasonal electricity price spikes.
Participants in Valley Green Energy will automatically receive an additional 10% renewable energy content for 13.994 ¢/kWh, a price that will be lower and more stable than the Eversource residential electricity supply prices (14.023 ¢/kWh starting in August) in place at launch. However, because the utilities’ prices change, and future prices are unknown, future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Bockelman said, “Lower prices and greener electricity…those were the goals of the program and we have achieved them in this initial offering. Much credit is due to the staff, advocates, and our superb consultants at Peregrine Energy Group for bringing this program to our communities.” He added, “We built an excellent partnership with Northampton and Pelham and are proud to bring this unique multi-community approach along with a larger market share to this initiative.”
Two additional program options will be available by request. Participants can choose to receive electricity with 100% renewable energy content at 16.474 ¢/kWh or just the minimum amount of renewable content required by law at 13.594 ¢/kWh. Customers may also opt-out of the program and purchase electricity directly from Eversource at the prices it offers.
Valley Green Energy received state regulatory approval in April. The program will change the electricity supply price on each participant’s electric bill, but local electric utilities will continue to manage billing, address power outages, and deliver electricity without interruption. Nearly 200 other Massachusetts communities already have similar programs, including the nearby communities of Greenfield, Hatfield, Leverett, and Northfield.
Ciccarello added, “After years of working to create Valley Green Energy, I am very proud that this initiative will benefit every resident and business in the town and support the town’s efforts in meeting our climate goals.”
Valley Green Energy is a regional energy services program known as an electricity aggregation, which is a kind of group electricity buying program for cities and towns with no hidden fees or penalties. Valley Green Energy is administered by the Town of Amherst, the City of Northampton, and the Town of Pelham. The purpose of Valley Green Energy is to contract on behalf of consumers for a supply of electricity.
Participating in Valley Green Energy changes the supply price on the utility electric bill, which is the part of the bill where you are charged for the electricity you use. Through the program, residents and businesses in member communities will have new choices and greater control over the cost and environmental impact of the electricity they use. Though Valley Green Energy will not be able to guarantee savings compared with Eversource’s basic service prices, the communities are committed to working toward competitive and stable prices.
Like all similar programs throughout the state, Valley Green Energy will use an automatic enrollment model, though participation will not be required. Any account holder eligible for automatic enrollment will receive a notification by mail before the program launches and will have the opportunity to opt-out. More information will be available in early September at www.ValleyGreenEnergy.org.
