Welcome!

Public Hearing Announcement:

On February 2, 2024, the Town of Needham (“Town”) filed a request with the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) for approval of a municipal aggregation plan pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 134. The Department will conduct a virtual public hearing to receive comments on the Town’s filing.

The Department will conduct the hearing using Zoom videoconferencing on March 14, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Attendees can join by entering the link, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81722675035, 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# 817 2267 5035. 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 Monday, March 11, 2024, to timothy.m.federico@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 March 14, 2024. To the extent a person wishes to submit comments in accordance with this Notice, electronic submission, as detailed below, is sufficient.

For information on how to submit comments, please download the complete announcement (PDF).

 

The Town of Needham is developing a plan for a consumer-friendly electricity program called Needham Power Choice. The program is an electricity aggregation, which is a kind of group electricity purchasing program that will allow the Town to use our collective buying power to increase the amount of renewable energy in our Town’s electricity supply. 

Through the program, Needham residents and businesses will have new choices and greater control over the cost and environmental impact of the electricity they use. Though Needham Power Choice will not be able to guarantee savings, the Town is committed to working toward competitive and stable prices.

In launching Needham Power Choice, Needham will join more than 150 other cities and towns in Massachusetts with similar programs. Needham is targeting 2024 for program launch.

Town of Needham municipal website

Program implementation process

Public comments accepted

Needham Power 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 exemplar Opt-Out Mailing Materials for Needham Power Choice will be available for public review and comment from December 6 until January 5. Those interested in reviewing the Plan and Exemplar Opt-Out Mailing Materials can download them below:

In addition, a hard copy of the draft Plan is available from the Office of the Town Manager (First Floor, Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02492). Needham residents and business owners are encouraged to review the Plan and submit written comments:

  • Via email: otm@needhamma.gov
  • Via US mail: Needham Power Choice, Office of the Town Manager, Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02492. 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 December 5 Needham Select Board meeting, at approximately 7:30 PM.

The meeting will be held in the Select Board Chambers at Town Hall (1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA  02492) or via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89068374046?pwd=UzBqaWIrNWZrSWdCQkpaZkJyd1RHQT09).

Cleaner electricity

 Needham Power Choice participants will automatically receive more electricity from renewable sources (like the sun and the wind) than is required by state law, though the specific amount is still to be determined.

Stable prices

 Needham Power Choice will provide long-term electricity supply prices that will not change seasonally. The program has the potential to provide savings when compared with Eversource’s Basic Service prices, but Eversource’s Basic Service prices change and future prices are not known, so savings cannot be guaranteed.

Consumer protections

 Needham Power Choice is being designed to protect Needham 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, how much renewable electricity will be included, and when the program will launch will be determined after Needham’s Aggregation Plan receives approval from state regulators. Learn about the implementation process.

How electricity aggregation works

Through Needham Power Choice, Needham will be able to determine the amount of renewable energy in the community’s electricity supply and secure an electricity supply price for the community. However, Needham Power Choice will not replace Eversource as Needham’s electric utility. If you choose to participate:

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

Enrollment will be automatic for most electricity customers in Needham (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 Needham Power 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 Eversource bill

Needham Power Choice will be integrated into your existing Eversource 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

Eversource 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.