It has been three years since the town signed a contract with Dynegy to bring 100% renewable energy electricity to town residents. On most homeowners’ National Grid bills, the supplier of electricity has been Dynegy. The contract is up for renewal, and the town has recently negotiated new rates to continue with renewable sources. Information will be available soon. Some private suppliers contact residents directly offering different electricity options. You may be contacted more often because: (1) the price of electricity is increasing significantly; and (2) they may be aware that our three-year contract is ending in November (which the town is renegotiating). This is just a reminder about a few things to be aware of.
The town electricity supplier information will be sent to homes and will have an official town letterhead. It will compare the new rates to the standard National Grid rates. Residents will be switched to the new supplier if they have been with Dynegy through the town’s program. There is nothing residents have to do.
Electricity suppliers can contact you directly. It is your right to choose your supplier. Just be careful of the terms. Check if the rate will change during the contract period, if there are penalties if you decide to switch suppliers, and what are the notification procedures.
National Grid will always be responsible for transmission. Many times the cost of transmission is as much as or more than the supply cost. Even if you go with a private supplier, National Grid will continue to charge you for transmission.
The information about the town’s new supplier and rates should be available in a few weeks. Residents and businesses who are currently participating in the town’s program will receive a postcard in the mail about the new supplier, the terms and the rates. You can contact Colonial Power Group, the town’s aggregation consultant, at 866-485-5858, ext. 1, with questions about the program.
Ellen Sachs Leicher
Member, Energy Advisory Committee
