The power of our community

Important program news:

Chelmsford Choice prices will decrease in November as the current electricity supply contract ends and a new, 24-month contract goes into effect, and all participants will see their prices reduce. In addition, participants in the current Basic option will receive more of their electricity from renewable sources and their option will be renamed to “Basic Green,” and a new Economy option will be offered.

The Select Board has selected the mid-tier electricity price as the new program default. The choice strikes a balance between advancing our community’s sustainability goals and keeping costs affordable.

The new prices for the Basic Green and Economy options are lower than National Grid’s current residential electricity supply price. Most participants are enrolled in the Basic Green option.

  • See the new prices.
  • Check back for the official announcement from the Town of Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Choice is a group electricity buying program for Chelmsford residents and businesses. The program changes the price that is used to calculate the Supply Services portion of your National Grid electric bill.

Using the purchasing power of our community, Chelmsford Choice gives residents and businesses an alternative to National Grid’s Basic Service and other electricity supply offers in the marketplace without high pressure or fees, as well as:

  • Three electricity supply options that are designed to balance sustainability and affordability
  • Fixed pricing until November 2027
  • The freedom to leave anytime with no fee or penalty

More than 200 other Massachusetts communities have similar programs.

Program benefits

 

Three consumer-friendly options

Chelmsford Choice offers three options for the electricity supply price on your National Grid bill. As a new participant, you will be automatically enrolled in the Basic Green option and will receive an additional 20% of your electricity from renewable sources. Two other options are available by request: The Economy option provides the lowest price in the program. The Greenest option provides 100% of your electricity from renewable sources. Make the choice that’s right for you!

Learn more about program options and prices. Need help deciding? Contact customer support.

Chelmsford Choice offers long-term prices, while National Grid’s prices change seasonally. Use the calculator to compare Chelmsford Choice prices with National Grid’s average prices.

No interruption in service 

Through Chelmsford Choice, the Town has selected Direct Energy as our electricity supplier (the company that puts electricity on the grid for us) and locked in long-term pricing for the electricity supply charge on our bills. But National Grid remains Chelmsford’s electric utility and continues to handle our billing, address power outages, and deliver our electricity with no interruption.

Learn how Chelmsford Choice works.

 

National Grid remains responsible for…

Delivering your electricity
National Grid continues to deliver your electricity with no interruption (and they are 100% OK with your participation in Chelmsford Choice).
Sending your electric bill
Your electric bill continues to come from National Grid, and this is the only electric bill you receive as a participant in Chelmsford Choice.
Accepting your electric bill payment
You continue to pay National Grid using whatever existing arrangement you have.
Addressing power outages
Call National Grid if your power goes out, as you do now.
Providing a low-income discount or fuel assistance
If you are eligible for these benefits, you continue to receive them with no change.
Providing bill credits or incentive payments from solar panels
You continue to receive your credits or payments, and participating in Chelmsford Choice does not impact their calculation.
Applying bill credits from community solar to your bill
You continue to receive bill credits, and participating in Chelmsford Choice does not impact their calculation.
Applying the Budget Plan to your bill
If you have National Grid's Budget Plan, it continues to apply to your total bill.

Most new accounts are eligible for automatic enrollment

Have National Grid’s Basic Service? 

New accounts on National Grid’s Basic Service are eligible for automatic enrollment. (If you did not sign a private electricity supply contract, you have National Grid’s Basic Service.) The automatic enrollment process happens on a roughly quarterly basis throughout the year. All similar programs throughout the state use an automatic enrollment model, but you are free to opt out before being automatically enrolled. You will receive a notice in the mail from the Town of Chelmsford in advance. See the most recent notice of automatic enrollment.

 

Have a private electricity supply contract?

If you signed a private electricity supply contract, your account will not be eligible for automatic enrollment, but you can request enrollment online or by contacting customer support with our program consultants. (Restrictions apply for industrial accounts.) We recommend that you carefully check the terms and conditions of your supplier agreement. Your ability to terminate your agreement with your supplier may be restricted. Learn more.

Make sure you’re enrolled

If you are enrolled, Chelmsford Choice will be integrated into your existing National Grid electric bill. Your supplier will appear as Direct Energy-Chelmsford Choice. But you will not see any additional charges on your bill or receive any additional electric bills because of participating in the program. 

See an example bill

Will you save money?

Maybe! Chelmsford Choice Economy and Basic Green prices are currently lower than National Grid’s residential Basic Service price. But Chelmsford cannot guarantee that program prices will always be lower than National Grid because National Grid’s prices change seasonally, and we do not know their future prices. 

Learn more

How it works
Participating
Change your option
Program notifications & documents
Price calculator
Renewable energy

Protect your National Grid account number

National Grid will never knock on your door or call you to talk about your electric bill.
Only provide your National Grid account number if you are ready to change your electricity supplier.