BEVERLY, MA — A citywide utility aggregation program initiated nearly four years ago and designed to provide discounted and more stable pricing over National Grid through bulk purchasing power will launch in May.
Beverly Community Electric will allow for more electricity from renewable sources with 20 months of negotiated price stability to protect residents and businesses from winter electricity price spikes.
National Grid remains the power company and delivery service for those participating, but Beverly Community Electric will become the supplier.
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The program was initiated in July 2020 with the City Council’s vote to pursue the aggregation and green energy program. The state Department of Public Utilities approved Beverly’s application in December.
Mayor Mike Cahill said in a letter to the City Council that the city recently entered an agreement with First Point Power to keep rates fixed for 20 months.
Find out what's happening in Beverlywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Residents and businesses should receive a notice in the mail next month if they are eligible for the program. Those with private energy suppliers are not eligible at this time.
No action is required with those receiving the notice automatically enrolled in the plan. Those who wish to opt out can do so at any time with no fee or penalty.
According to the city, the Beverly Standard plan with 10 percent more renewable energy will be 13.919 cents per kilowatt hour, compared to the most recent 18.213 National Grid residential basic service rate. Residents can opt-in to the Beverly Clean rate with 100 renewable energy at 14.999 cents per kilowatt hour, while there is also a Beverly Basic rate option at 13.519 cents per kilowatt hour.
More about program pricing and options can be found here.
A virtual public information session is set for March 4 at 6:30 p.m. that will be recorded and uploaded to the program website here. An in-person information session will be held on March 15 at the Council on Aging at noon.
Since prices are negotiated for a fixed term, cost savings cannot be guaranteed in the event of a sharp drop in National Grid pricing during the course of the city contract.
Those who enroll will see their supplier appear as Beverly Community Electric-First Point Power starting in June.
(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)
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