Winchendon Energy Program Announces New Reduced Rate

WINCHENDON ENERGY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES NEW REDUCED RATE

WINCHENDON, MA – The Town of Winchendon has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Constellation NewEnergy. Beginning with the December 2023 meter reads, the Winchendon Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.14965 per kWh.

For Winchendon residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s Program, the current rate of $0.23567 per kWh will expire with the December 2023 meter reads and the new rate of $0.14965 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $52 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. In addition, the new rate is 18 percent lower than National Grid’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.18213 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $19 per month for the months of December 2023 through July 2024*.

“Unfavorable market conditions dictated the Program’s high rate this past year,” said Bill McKinney, Winchendon Interim Town Manager. “However, we are pleased to announce that we were able to reduce the rate by 37% with this new contract.”

Winchendon launched its electricity program in December 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $3 million in electricity costs as compared to National Grid Basic Service.

It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. This change will be seen on the January 2024 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will see the new rate under the “Supply Services” section of their monthly bill.

The Winchendon Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

National Grid has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs.

Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/winchendon or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Winchendon’s Community Choice Power Supply Program or to opt-in or opt-out.

*Normally, the term would be through April 2024 but this is a transition term. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an Order on September 1, 2023 that requires National Grid change its residential and small business Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices and differences across electric distribution companies. [See mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates.]

ABOUT COLONIAL POWER GROUP: Based in Marlborough, Mass., Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation-consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.