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.

1. Public vote

Hanover had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred on May 1, 2023.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the necessary regulatory approval to launch Hanover Energy Choice, the Town must 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 Hanover will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Hanover’s Aggregation Plan and other aggregation documents were made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from March 18  – April 17, 2024, and a presentation about the Aggregation Plan was delivered to the public on March 18.

3. Regulatory review and approval

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

  • Hanover’s Aggregation Plan was reviewed by DOER on April 10, 2024.
  • Hanover’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU for review and approval on April 24, 2024. A public hearing occurred as part of that process on July 8, 2024. 
  • Hanover’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on January 29, 2025.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

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

  • Hanover signed a 30-month contract with Gridwealth Electric that is in effect from May 2025 to November 2027.

5. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract is signed, Hanover 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: March 11, 2025
  • Opt-out notice mailing date: March 18, 2025

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Hanover Energy Choice 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. Hanover Energy Choice will launch with May 2025 meter reads.