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.

For an in-depth explanation of the program implementation process from the Canton Energy Advisory Committee, view this series of articles: On the Horizon (PDF). Part One – Overview (PDF). Part Two: Competitive Procurement Process (PDF). Part Three: Customer Decision-Making Process (PDF). Procurement process guidelines (PDF).

1. Public vote

Canton had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred on May 22, 2021.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the necessary regulatory approval to launch Canton Electricity Choice, the Town had to first create an Aggregation Plan and make it available for public review and comment. The Aggregation Plan is a high-level authorization document that lays out the program structure and demonstrates how Canton will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Canton’s Aggregation Plan was made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from January 3 – February 2, 2023, and a presentation about the program was delivered to the public on January 24, 2023.

3. Regulatory review and approval

Canton submitted its Aggregation Plan to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for review and then to the DPU for approval.

  • Canton’s Aggregation Plan was reviewed by DOER on March 2, 2023.
  • Canton’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU for review and approval on March 24, 2023. A public hearing occurred as part of that process on May 16, 2023. 
  • Canton’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on December 29, 2023.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

Once the regulatory review process was complete and Canton’s Aggregation Plan received approval from the DPU, Canton implemented a public procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier.

  • Canton signed a 24-month electricity supply contract with Constellation NewEnergy on March 13, 2024.

5. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract was signed, Canton 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 if you do not want to participate.

  • Coming-Soon Postcard mailing date: March 26, 2024.
  • Opt-Out Notice mailing date: April 2, 2024.

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Canton Electricity Choice launched.

  • The program launched with June 2024 meter reads.