Beware of misleading electricity supply offers
Have you received a low-priced offer from an electricity supply company? If so, make sure you know what they are offering before you sign up. That low price may look great, but it may not be what it seems. A low initial price in a private offer can be a gimmick that leaves you paying more in the end.
Westborough Power Choice is a public service from the Town of Westborough that is designed to provide stable, predictable prices, more electricity from clean, renewable sources, and consumer protections.
Westborough Power Choice VS private electricity supply offers
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Private electricity supply offers |
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Transparent prices |
Westborough Power Choice prices are fixed by contract for the term of the contract. The current Westborough Power Choice prices are fixed until November 2025. Period. What’s more, the Town will provide notice of new prices before they go into effect. |
Electricity suppliers frequently entice customers with a low price, then raise the price sharply. Suppliers are hoping you will enroll with them for the low price, then stop looking at your bill before the higher price starts. The details of how the pricing works are usually in the fine print. |
Stable prices |
Westborough Power Choice locks in long-term, fixed-price contracts that provide stability and predictability without the possibility of monthly variable pricing. At the end of the current contract, the Town intends to sign another long-term, fixed-price contract. |
Variable prices are a common risk with private offers. Frequently, your price will automatically move to a price that changes monthly at the end of your contract period. Variable prices that change monthly are often much higher than your initial price, and customers often lose a lot of money. |
No hidden fees or penalties |
You may opt out of, or leave, Westborough Power Choice at any time with no fee or penalty. You may also change from one option to another within Westborough Power Choice at any time with no fee or penalty. These are just some of the consumer protections built into the program. |
Many private electricity supply contracts include early termination fees that are as high as $150 if you break the contract. |
Renewable energy with a local impact |
Westborough Power Choice enables you to buy more of your electricity from renewable sources that are all within the New England region. Purchasing electricity locally builds demand for more renewable energy on our grid. That in turn stimulates the development of new renewable energy projects in New England. |
Private electricity supply contracts may enable you to buy more of your electricity from renewable sources, but those sources are typically outside of the New England region. As a result, your choice is not helping to build demand for new renewable energy projects in our region. |