• BY Matt Petry | mpetry@northofboston.com
AMESBURY — Local National Grid customers hoping to pay less for electricity can now see how much they would save should they choose the city’s recently established community choice power supply program.
On Wednesday, the city announced the official price points it secured from First Point Power of Cranston, Rhode Island, over the length of a 24-month contract beginning Oct. 1. Only current National Grid customers are eligible.
“We’ve been anxiously awaiting state approval to launch this program,” Mayor Kassandra Gove said in a statement. “I’m hopeful this will provide relief to our residents and businesses who have experienced unpredictable utility costs in recent years.”
Residents will now have three options for lower rates compared to National Grid’s rate of 16.055 cents per kilowatt hour.
They include the optional basic plan, which meets state renewable energy requirements of 14.279 cents per kilowatt hour and results in an estimated monthly savings of $11.
A second choice is the optional renewable plan, which features 100% renewable energy, including 38% wind power at 14.460 cents per kilowatt hour. This results in an estimated monthly savings of $10.
The most expensive option is the standard plan – 5% above the state’s renewable energy requirements at 14.479 cents per kilowatt hour, resulting in estimated monthly savings of $9.
City Councilor and Energy Committee Chairman Anthony Rinaldi said he feels good about the deal the city secured.
“We got a fairly good price, and we also got an option for the people in the city who believe in green power,” he said.
Rinaldi said he only has one regret.
“It’s disappointing to me, I’ll just say this, that it took so long because last year we could have really helped the city and we didn’t,” he said.
No action is required by ratepayers to participate in this cost-saving program as it will be operated on an opt-out basis.
There are no enrollment, early termination or cancellation fees. Residents who choose to opt out can also opt in at a later date at no cost.
But anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier.
Two community information sessions are scheduled to answer any questions regarding the program. The sessions will be led by city officials and Colonial Power Group representatives.
The first is Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium, 62 Friend St. The second will be held Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Costello Center, 68 Elm St.
Amesbury joins Salisbury and Newburyport as area communities that have signed power aggregation deals.
In May 2022, Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington signed a three-year renewal agreement with First Point Power through January 2025 to obtain electricity for Salisbury at a fixed rate of 11.134 cents per kilowatt hour for all residential and business customers of National Grid.
Newburyport signed a new 24-month contract with electricity supplier Constellation New Energy that began in November, locking in a rate of 14.809 cents per kilowatt hour for the next two years, giving participants stability and protection from market volatility, according to officials.
Newburyport launched its electricity program in January 2023 to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From its inception through May 2023, the program has saved residents and small businesses more than $2.2 million in electricity costs compared to National Grid’s basic service.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.