ABINGTON ENERGY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES NEW SUPPLIER
ABINGTON, MA – The Town of Abington has signed a twenty-four month contract with a new electricity supplier, Constellation New Energy. Beginning with the November 2023 meter reads, the Abington Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.15181 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.15340 per kWh.
For Abington residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s standard product, the current rate of $0.13480 per kWh will expire with the November 2023 meter reads and the new rate of $0.15181 per kWh will take effect. This represents an increase of $10 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is 17 percent lower than National Grid’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.18213 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $18 per month for the months of November 2023 through July 2024*.
“We have seen that the high cost of electricity can be burdensome for our residents,” said Scott Lambiase, Abington Town Manager. “We’re pleased to be able to offer stable rates that will also provide savings to our residents this winter.”
Abington relaunched its electricity program in January 2023 in effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through May 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $565 thousand in electricity costs as compared to National Grid 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 and Constellation NewEnergy printed under the “Supply Services” section of their monthly bill.
Those currently enrolled in Abington’s standard product will continue to be enrolled in the standard product, but at the new rate, and those currently enrolled in the optional green product will continue to be enrolled in the optional green product, also at the new rate.
The Abington 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 National Grid 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.
Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/abington or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Abington’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change your current product selection.
*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.
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