Public Hearing Notice:

On March 24, 2023, the Town of Canton (“Town”) filed a request with the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) for approval of a municipal aggregation plan pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 134. The Department docketed this petition as D.P.U. 23-27.The Department will conduct a virtual public hearing to receive comments on the Town’s filing. The Department will conduct the hearing using Zoom videoconferencing on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Attendees can join by entering the link, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84101358723, from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. No prior software download is required.

For detailed information, including how to submit comments, please download and read the complete Notice of Filing, Request for Comments, and Public Hearing (PDF).

Welcome!

The Town of Canton is developing a plan for a consumer-friendly electricity program called Canton Electricity Choice. The program is an electricity aggregation, which is a kind of group electricity purchasing program that will allow the Town to use our collective buying power to increase the amount of renewable energy in our Town’s electricity supply. 

Through the program, Canton residents and businesses will have new choices and greater control over the cost and environmental impact of the electricity they use. Though Canton Electricity Choice will not be able to guarantee savings, the Town is committed to working toward competitive and stable prices.

In launching Canton Electricity Choice, Canton will join more than 150 other cities and towns in Massachusetts with similar programs. Canton is targeting early 2024 for program launch.

Go to the Town of Canton’s municipal website

Learn about the implementation process

Documents submitted for regulatory review and approval

Canton Electricity Choice must receive regulatory approval from the state before the program can launch. The following documents were made available to the public for comment from January 3, 2023, through February 2, 2023. They were submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for review and approval on March 24, 2023.

Cleaner electricity

 Canton Electricity Choice participants will automatically receive more electricity from renewable sources (like the sun and the wind) than is required by state law, though the specific amount is still to be determined.

Stable prices

 Canton Electricity Choice will aim to provide long-term electricity supply prices. Price stability will make the program different from Eversource’s Basic Service and from many electricity supply offers in the marketplace.

The program also has the potential to provide savings when compared with the average of Eversource’s Basic Service prices, but because Eversource’s Basic Service prices change and future prices are not known, savings cannot be guaranteed.

Consumer protections

 Canton Electricity Choice is being designed to protect Canton consumers. The program will include no hidden fees, and you will have the freedom to opt out of the program at any time with no penalty.

Details such as prices, how much renewable electricity will be included, and when the program will launch will be determined after Canton’s Aggregation Plan receives approval from state regulators. Learn about the implementation process.

How electricity aggregation works

Through Canton Electricity Choice, Canton will be able to determine the amount of renewable energy in the community’s electricity supply and secure an electricity supply price for the community. However, Canton Electricity Choice will not replace Eversource as Canton’s electric utility. If you choose to participate:

  • Eversource will continue to deliver your electricity with no interruption, and you will continue to call Eversource if your power goes out.
  • Eversource will continue to send your electricity bill, and that is the only electricity bill you will receive. But on your bill, Eversource will use a Canton price to calculate your Supply charge.
  • You will see no change to any discounts or credits that you receive from Eversource.

Enrollment will be automatic for most electricity customers in Canton (though not for customers who have already signed a private electricity supply contract). If your account is eligible for automatic enrollment, you will receive a notification in the mail from the Town before being enrolled with details like pricing and program options. If you have a private electricity supply contract, you may choose to participate, and enrolling will be an easy process. However, you are encouraged to check with your current supplier before making any change as you may be subject to early termination fees.

Participation is not required. The automatic enrollment model is state law for all municipal electricity programs like Canton Electricity Choice, but you will be able to opt out before being enrolled and any time after enrollment with no penalty.

Learn more about how aggregation works
Read the FAQ

Example Eversource bill

Canton Electricity Choice will be integrated into your existing Eversource electricity bill. You will see only minor changes to the way your electricity bill appears.

To understand how the program will appear on your bill, see an example bill.

Protect your electricity account number

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