Program implementation process
Municipal electricity aggregation was enabled by the Massachusetts Restructuring Act of 1997 (Chapter 164, Section 134) and is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
The implementation process includes a regulatory review and approval process that typically requires several months. The list below includes key milestones in the program implementation process.
1. Public vote
Needham had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.
- The Town Meeting vote occurred on October 22, 2022.
2. Public review and comment
To obtain the regulatory approval needed to launch Needham Power Choice, the Town first created a draft Aggregation Plan and made it and other aggregation documents available for public review and comment.
The Aggregation Plan is a high-level authorization document that lays out the program structure and demonstrates how Needham will meet regulatory requirements.
- Needham’s Aggregation Plan was presented to the public on December 5, 2023, and made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from December 6, 2023 – January 5, 2024.
3. Regulatory review and approval
Needham submitted its Aggregation Plan to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for review and then to the DPU for approval.
- Needham’s Aggregation Plan was reviewed by DOER on January 6, 2024.
- Needham’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU for review and approval on February 2, 2024. A public hearing occurred as part of that process on March 14, 2024.
- Needham’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on August 22, 2024.
4. Signing an electricity supply contract
Once the regulatory review process was complete and Needham’s Aggregation Plan received approval from the DPU, Needham implemented a competitive procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier.
- Needham signed a 24-month contract with Constellation that is in effect from March 2025 – March 2027.
5. Public notification and education
After the electricity supply contract is signed, Needham conducted a public education effort to inform the community about program details like price and renewable energy. This effort included public information sessions. In addition, a formal notification letter was sent from the Town to each electricity account holder who was eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. The letter included information about program options and prices and how to opt out.
- Coming-soon postcard mailing date: December 30, 2024
- Opt-out notice mailing date: January 6, 2025
6. Program launch
At the conclusion of the public education effort, Needham Power Choice launched. Accounts on Eversource’s Basic Service were automatically enrolled in the program, unless they chose to opt out. (Automatic enrollment is state law.) Electricity customers with private electricity supply contracts were not automatically enrolled but are able to enroll quickly and easily if they wish. Needham Power Choice launched with March 2025 meter reads.
