Melrose Community Power program Aggregation Plan (2019) explains how the program will operate.
Customer Notification Letter – sent to new electricity supply customers who are eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. Explains program options, product rates, renewable energy content and for those who choose to opt out, ways to leave the program before enrollment.
Bill Sample – A sample National Grid bill showing participation in the Melrose Community Power program.
Renewal letter to program participants – in 2021, the program was renewed for another three years. Mayor Brodeur and Sustainability Manager Martha Grover sent a letter to all program participants explaining the details.
Disclosure Label
The Disclosure Label is prepared and periodically updated by Melrose Community Power program’s electricity supplier. It provides detail on the energy mix for all program options. These documents are updated only periodically, therefore, the label available at this time may be for electricity supply from an earlier period.
Aggregation Background
Municipal electricity aggregation is a mechanism by which a city or town can bundle the electricity supply needs of residents and businesses in their community and procure the electricity in bulk, typically for a multi-year term.
Municipal aggregation is allowed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 164 Section 134. More than 140 cities and towns in Massachusetts already have active electricity aggregation programs, and other nearby communities are pursuing similar programs.
By default, customers receive “Basic Service” electricity supply from UtilityName. Under a municipal aggregation program, like ProgramName, all customers receiving Basic Service are automatically transitioned to the aggregation’s standard option. However, before the aggregation begins, all customers must be given the chance to stay with Basic Service, known as “opting-out”. After customers are enrolled, they can still opt out of the program at any time without penalty.
Melrose Community Power History & Aggregation Plan
In May 2014, the City Council (then Board of Aldermen) authorized the creation of a community choice electricity aggregation program in Melrose, and the City then selected consultant Good Energy, L.P. to assist with all aspects of program implementation. The City developed a draft aggregation plan and solicited public comment. As required by law, the plan was reviewed with the MA Department of Energy Resources and then sent to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for review. DPU approved the plan in September 2015. Read the 2015 aggregation plan.
The City conducted a competitive bid for electricity supply and secured its first supply contract to start in January 2016. At the time, the program was called Melrose Community Electricity Aggregation. The contract was with supplier Constellation for 18 months, and it had a standard product which added 5% more MA Class I renewable energy on top of the State’s minimum requirements. The contract also had optional products with 100% extra renewable energy or no extra renewable energy. When this first contract ended, an analysis of current and expected market conditions led the City to determine that the best option for Melrose ratepayers would be to return to the National Grid Basic Service supply rate starting July 2017.
Read 2017 article by Melrose Sustainability Manager Martha Grover
In spring of 2018, the City made the decision to restart the aggregation program, which required a new aggregation plan. The City Council (then Board of Aldermen) approved the new plan in May 2018 and the Department of Public Utilities approved the plan in January 2019.
The City conducted a competitive bid for electricity supply and secured a contract with supplier NextEra Energy Services that started in June 2019 with fixed prices through November 2021 (27 months). This contract also has 5% more MA Class I renewable energy than required by state law.
In fall 2020, the program rebranded, changing the name to Melrose Community Power.
Future savings cannot be guaranteed because future Basic Service rates are unknown.