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Notice of public hearing

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will conduct a virtual public hearing to receive comments on Hanover’s request for approval of a Municipal Aggregation Plan. The Department will conduct the hearing using Zoom videoconferencing on Monday, July 8, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Attendees can join by entering the link, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83102084997, from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. No prior software download is required. For audio-only access to the hearings, attendees can dial in at (305) 224-1968 (not toll free) and then enter the Meeting ID# 831 0208 4997. If you anticipate providing comments via Zoom during the public hearing, to the extent possible, please send an email by the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Friday, July 5, 2024, to Lauren.Morris@mass.gov with your name, email address, and mailing address.

Alternatively, any person who desires to comment on this matter may submit written comments to the Department via email no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Download the complete Notice of Filing, Request for Comments, and Public Hearing. (PDF)

The Town of Hanover is developing a plan for a consumer-friendly electricity program called Hanover Energy Choice. The program is an electricity aggregation, which is a kind of group electricity purchasing program for Hanover residents and businesses.  

Through Hanover Energy Choice, the Town will use its collective buying power to provide new electricity choices that give Hanover electricity customers greater control over the price and environmental impact of the electricity they use. While Hanover Energy Choice will not be able to guarantee lower prices compared with National Grid’s Basic Service prices, the Town is committed to working toward providing prices that are competitive and stable for the long term.

In launching Hanover Energy Choice, Hanover will join more than 170 other cities and towns in Massachusetts with similar programs. Hanover is targeting late 2024 or early 2025 for program launch.

Town of Hanover municipal website

Program implementation process

Public comments accepted

Hanover Energy Choice must receive regulatory approval from the state before the program can launch. To ensure transparency in the program development process, the draft Aggregation Plan and associated documents for Hanover Energy Choice will be available for public review and comment from March 18 until April 17, 2024. Those interested in reviewing the Plan and other aggregation documents can download them below:

In addition, a hard copy of the draft aggregation documents are available from Hanover Town Hall (550 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339). Hanover residents and business owners are encouraged to review the Aggregation Plan and associated documents and submit written comments:

  • Via email:janet.tierney@hanover-ma.gov
  • Via US mail: Hanover Town Hall, Offices of the Select Board and Town Manager, 550 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339, Attn: Julie Burke. Comments sent by mail must be received (not postmarked) by the end of the comment period in order to be addressed.

An overview of the plan will be presented during the March 18, 2024, Select Board meeting, which begins at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format with both in person attendees in the First Floor Hearing Room of Hanover Town Hall, 550 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339, as well as remote attendees via the Zoom platform. Remote access instructions shall be provided at the top of the Select Board’s March 18th Meeting Agenda, which shall be posted at Hanover-MA.gov/SB prior to the meeting.

New electricity choices

 Hanover Energy Choice will give electricity customers in Hanover new electricity choices, including choices for buying more electricity from renewable sources.

Stable electricity prices

 Hanover Energy Choice will provide long-term electricity supply prices that will not change seasonally. The program also has the potential to provide savings when compared with National Grid’s Basic Service prices, but because National Grid’s Basic Service prices change and future prices are not known, savings cannot be guaranteed.

Consumer protections

 Hanover Energy Choice is being designed to protect Hanover 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 and the program launch date will be determined after Hanover’s Aggregation Plan receives approval from state regulators. Learn about the implementation process.

How electricity aggregation works

Through Hanover Energy Choice, Hanover will choose its own electricity supplier and establish a Hanover price for Supply Services charge on participants’ electric bills. However, Hanover Energy Choice will not replace National Grid as Hanover’s electric utility. If you choose to participate:

  • National Grid will continue to deliver your electricity with no interruption, and you will continue to call National Grid if your power goes out.
  • National Grid will continue to send your electric bill, and that is the only electric bill you will receive. But on your bill, National Grid will use a Hanover price to calculate your Supply Services charge.
  • You will see no change to any discounts or credits that you receive from National Grid, such as a low-income discount.

Diagram describing how Hanover Energy Choice works.

Enrollment will be automatic for most electricity customers in Hanover (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 with details like pricing and program options before being enrolled. 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 Hanover Energy 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 National Grid bill

Hanover Energy Choice will be integrated into your existing National Grid electric bill. You will see only minor changes to the way your electric bill appears.

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

Protect your electricity account number

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