HUNTINGTON, MA – A revision in Massachusetts law has resulted in the need for nominal price adjustments in Huntington’s Community Choice electricity program. Importantly, the rate residents pay will continue to remain below Eversource’s current Basic Service rate.
The Clean Energy Standard Expansion (CES-E), which was developed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and finalized in July 2020, requires that utilities and suppliers annually demonstrate sourcing of an increasing amount of clean energy. This revision has resulted in a minor increase of 0.00102 cents per kilowatt hour in the overall cost of electricity.
Huntington consumers use an average 600-kilowatt hours of electricity per month. With the adjusted cost included, this means ratepayers’ average bill will increase by approximately 61 cents a month compared to the program rates announced earlier this year. This price adjustment will be effective with the January 2021 meter reads and remain fixed through January 2024, when the current contract ends.
The Huntington Community Choice Power Supply Program continues to provide local ratepayers with two different options for their electricity:
- The Standard Plan meets the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 28% plus 5% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Mass Class I RECs may serve to increase Massachusetts job opportunities in the renewable energy field.
- The Optional Plan involves the use MA RPS plus 25% Massachusetts Class I RECs
The programs’ initial cost per kilowatt hour and adjusted cost per kilowatt hour are detailed in the chart below.
Huntington Community Choice Program Product Rates Per Kilowatt Hour
| Opt-Out Product | Original Opt-Out Rate Per KwH | CES-E Price Increase Per KwH | New Opt-Out Rate Per KwH | % Increase Opt-Out |
| RPS+5% MA Class I RECs | $0.09432 | $0.00102 | $0.09534 | 1.08% |
| Opt-In Product | Original Opt-In Rate Per KwH | CES-E Price Increase Per KwH | New Opt-In Rate Per KwH | % Increase Opt-In |
| RPS+25% MA Class I RECs | $0.10190 | $0.00102 | $0.10292 | 1.00% |
It is important to note that all electricity suppliers operating in Massachusetts, including Eversource, are subject to the Clean Energy Standard Expansion regulation and the related pricing adjustment.
Increased Local Control, Renewable Energy
The creation of Huntington’s energy program has allowed for greater control over the environmental characteristics and the price of the electricity residents use. Both of Huntington’s program options help to decrease ratepayers’ carbon footprint.
Huntington voted to join Franklin County Aggregation, along with 12 Franklin County communities, about two years ago. The group signed a 41-month agreement with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services to develop electricity programs that would be affordable and incorporate renewable energy. The communities signed a 41-month agreement during which time Huntington customers will collectively save more than $200,000 in electricity costs.
For added consumer protection, there are no enrollment, early termination, or cancellation fees attached to the Huntington electricity program. To date, approximately 150 Massachusetts communities have created their own community choice electricity programs to benefit residents.
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.
For additional information about the Huntington Community Choice Power Supply Program, visit www.colonialpowergroup/huntington or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.