Welcome!

Public Hearing Announcement:

On May 31, 2023, the Town of Pepperell (“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 October 11, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Attendees can join by entering the link, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84916907082, 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# 849 1690 7082. 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 Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 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 Thursday, October 12, 2023. 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 Pepperell is developing a plan for a consumer-friendly electricity program called Pepperell Community Electricity. 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 take a big step toward increasing the amount of renewable energy in our Town’s electricity supply. 

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

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

Town of Pepperell municipal website

Aggregation implementation process

Public comments accepted

Pepperell Community Electricity must receive regulatory approval from the state before the program can launch. To ensure transparency in the program development process, the draft Aggregation Plan for Pepperell Community Electricity will be available for public review and comment from March 29 until April 29. Those interested in reviewing the plan can download the documents below:

In addition, a hard copy of the draft plan is available from the Town of Pepperell’s Clerk’s Office (1 Main Street, Pepperell, MA). Pepperell residents and business owners are encouraged to review the Plan and submit written comments:

  • Via email: PCE@town.pepperell.ma.us
  • Via US mail: Pepperell Community Electricity, Attention Select Board, Town Offices, 1 Main Street, Pepperell, MA 01463. Comments sent by mail must be received (not postmarked) by the end of the comment period in order to be addressed.

A overview of the plan will be presented at a public information session on April 11 at 7:00 PM. Information for participating can be found on the Town of Pepperell calendar. Anyone who requires an ASL interpreter for this event should submit their request to support@PepperellCommunityElectricity.com.

Cleaner electricity

 Pepperell Community Electricity 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

 Pepperell Community Electricity will aim to provide long-term electricity supply prices. Price stability will make the program different from National Grid’s Basic Service and from many electricity supply offers in the marketplace. The program also has the potential to provide savings when compared with the average of 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

 Pepperell Community Electricity is being designed to protect Pepperell 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 Pepperell’s Aggregation Plan receives approval from state regulators. Learn about the implementation process.

How electricity aggregation works

Through Pepperell Community Electricity, Pepperell 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, Pepperell Community Electricity will not replace National Grid as Pepperell’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 electricity bill, and that is the only electricity bill you will receive. But on your bill, National Grid will use a Pepperell price to calculate your Supply Services charge.
  • You will see no change to any discounts or credits that you receive from National Grid.

Diagram describing how delivery and supply works with Pepperell Community Electricity.

Enrollment will be automatic for most electricity customers in Pepperell (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 before being enrolled with details like pricing and program options. 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 Pepperell Community Electricity, 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

Pepperell Community Electricity will be integrated into your existing National Grid electricity bill. You will see only minor changes to the way your electricity 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.