WEST SPRINGFIELD — Participants of the West Springfield Community Choice Power Supply Program can anticipate a $39 decrease per month on their electric bills.
“We are excited to announce a 32% drop in the program’s rate,” Mayor William Reichelt wrote in an Oct. 31 statement; the estimated decrease is based on an average use of 600 kilowatt hours.
Thanks to a new 36-month contract signed with a new electricity supplier, First Point Power, residents and businesses enrolled in the town’s program will see the lower rate.
The Power Supply Program has no fees or charges, and no action is required by individual consumers. The change will be seen on January bills.
The new rate and First Point Power will appear under the “Supplier Services” section of the monthly bill.
The current rate that is just under $0.20 cents will expire with December meter reads. The new rate for those in the Power Supply Program will be .13 cents per kWh. For comparison, Eversource’s summer residential basic service rate is about $0.15 per kWh.
“The program locks in rates for the next three years, which will insulate ratepayers from market fluctuations,” Reichelt wrote.
Since West Springfield’s electricity program launched in September 2019, it has saved residents and small businesses over $5.8 million in electricity costs, the city said.
To OPT-IN prior to the rate change enrollment, requests must be sent a minimum of two weeks before the December meter reads.
Switching from a contract with a third-party supplier might be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier, the mayor’s statement said. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
To learn more, visit Eversource online or to join visit Colonial Power Group online.