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

Ludlow had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred on January 9, 2023.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the necessary regulatory approval to launch Ludlow Power Choice, the Town first created an Aggregation Plan and made 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 Ludlow will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Ludlow’s Aggregation Plan and other aggregation documents were made available for a public review and comment period from February 23 – March 26, 2024, and presented to the public at the March 19, 2024, Select Board meeting.

3. Regulatory review and approval

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

  • Ludlow participated in an advisory meeting with the DOER on March 5, 2024.
  • Ludlow’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU on April 22, 2024. A public hearing occurred as part of that process on June 25, 2024. 
  • Ludlow’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on January 17, 2025.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

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

  • Ludlow signed a 27-month contract with First Point Power that is in effect from August 2025 until November 2027.

5. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract was signed, Ludlow 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 notice was sent from the Town to each electricity account holder who was eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. The notice included information about program options and prices and how to opt out if you do not want to participate.

  • Coming-Soon Postcard mailing date: June 11, 2025
  • Opt-Out Notice mailing date: June 18, 2025

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Ludlow Power Choice launched. Any account on Eversource’s Basic Service was automatically enrolled in the program, unless they chose to opt out. (Automatic enrollment is state law.) Any electricity customer who had a private electricity supply contract at this time was not automatically enrolled but can enroll quickly and easily if they wish. Ludlow Power Choice launched with August 2025 meter reads.