New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The City of New Bedford has partnered with 22 municipalities in the region through the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to launch a regional Community Electricity Aggregation Program. By the combining purchasing power of customers in the participating communities, the program allows residences and small businesses to receive significantly reduced electricity rates through a bulk-purchasing contract.
“Rising utility costs continue to pressure city residents and small businesses,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “As a city, we are actively looking for innovative ways to help keep those electricity prices down. This year, New Bedford has joined forces with other area communities and worked closely with SRPEDD and our consultant Good Energy to lock in a favorable electricity rate for our residents and small businesses that will be held constant for the next two years.”
Earlier this week, the participating communities entered into a contract for a 24-month period beginning in January 2016 at a fixed electricity supply rate of $0.0949/kWh. Based on this new rate and historical utility usage data, the aggregate is expecting to see an estimated $15 million in aggregate savings in the region when compared to the current Eversource and National Grid published winter utility rates.
As a result of this program, residents and small businesses in New Bedford and the participating communities whose electricity is supplied by Eversource will experience electricity costs that will be 14% lower than would have been the case if the aggregation agreement had not been implemented, avoiding the annual spike in electricity costs that customers have come to dread.
To learn approximately how much this initiative could save your family or business on a monthly basis, use the savings calculator available Here
Community Electricity Aggregation Program
Working with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), 23 communities in the region succeeded in using their combined purchasing power to establish new power rates that will bring savings to area residents and businesses in participating communities this winter. Communities participating in the SRPEDD program include Acushnet, Attleboro, Carver, Dartmouth, Dedham, Dighton, Douglas, Dracut, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Northbridge, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Westford, and Westport for a combined 225,000 eligible households and businesses, making the SRPEDD aggregation the third largest in the country.
To learn more about the program, contact (844) MASSCEA (627-7232) info@masscea.com or New Bedford residents and business owners are encouraged to contact New Bedford Energy Now (NBEN) for more information at (508) 991-6193.
