Program implementation process

Implementing a municipal electricity aggregation program like Dunstable Community Power is a regulated process that is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).

The implementation process can take as long as a year to complete and 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

Dunstable had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred May 13, 2024.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the regulatory approval needed to launch Dunstable Community Power, the Town must first create an Aggregation Plan and make 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 Dunstable will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Dunstable’s Aggregation Plan and other aggregation documents were made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from September 24 – October 25, 2024, and presented to the public on September 24, 2024.

3. Regulatory review and approval

Dunstable must submit its Aggregation Plan to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for review and then to the DPU for approval before the program can launch.

This regulatory review process typically takes several months.

  • Dunstable’s Aggregation Plan was reviewed by the Massachusetts DOER on August 27, 2024.
  • Dunstable’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU for review and approval on November 7, 2024. A public hearing was held as part of that process on January 22, 2025. 
  • Dunstable’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on February 20, 2025.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

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

  • Dunstable signed an 18-month contract with Dynegy that is in effect from June 2025 to December 2026.

5. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract is signed, Dunstable will conduct a public education effort to inform the community about program details like price and renewable energy. This effort will include public information sessions. In addition, a formal notification letter will be sent from the Town to each electricity account holder who is eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. The letter will include information about program options and prices and how to opt out if you do not want to participate.

  • Coming-soon postcard mailing date: April 8, 2025
  • Opt-out notice mailing date: April 15, 2025

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Dunstable Community Power will launch. Any account on National Grid’s Basic Service will be automatically enrolled in the program, unless they choose to opt out. (Automatic enrollment is state law.) Any electricity customer who has a private electricity supply contract at this time will not be automatically enrolled but will be able to enroll quickly and easily if they wish. Dunstable Community Power will launch with June 2025 meter reads.