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

Maynard had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred on May 21, 2012.

2. Public review and comment

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

  • Maynard’s Aggregation Plan and other aggregation documents were made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from May 21 – June 20, 2024, and presented to the public on May 21, 2024.

3. Regulatory review and approval

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

  • Maynard participated in an advisory meeting with the DOER on September 30, 2024.
  • Maynard’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU for review and approval on December 5, 2024. A public hearing was held as part of that process on February 26, 2025. 
  • Maynard’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on March 17, 2025.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

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

  • Maynard signed a 26-month contract with Direct Energy that is in effect from September 2025 – November 2027.

5. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract is signed, Maynard 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: June 25, 2025
  • Opt-out notice mailing date: July 2, 2025

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Maynard Power Choice will launch. Any account on Eversource’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. Maynard Power Choice will launch with September 2025 meter reads.

  • Read the official announcement from the Town of Maynard (PDF) (Coming soon)