Easthampton residents and businesses will have a new way to choose how their electricity is supplied starting with their October meter read — including an option backed by 100% renewable energy.
The western Massachusetts city is launching a municipal aggregation program to give customers more control over costs and access to cleaner energy choices without changing who delivers their power.
What's happening?
Through Easthampton Community Electricity, the city is rolling out a voluntary supply program for local homes and businesses, according to WWLP. Direct Energy will supply the electricity, and participants can leave the program at any time without a fee.
The three offerings differ by renewable content. Easthampton Standard will be the default plan, Easthampton Plus will provide 100% renewable electricity, and Easthampton Basic is intended to satisfy Massachusetts' minimum renewable energy requirement.
Direct Energy will mail a letter to eligible customers in August explaining how to select a different option or opt out. Customers receiving Eversource Basic Service supply will be moved to Easthampton Standard, starting with their October meter reading.
Only the supply charge on the electric bill will be affected by the program. Eversource will still send bills, maintain the power lines, and respond to storm outages and other service problems.
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Why does it matter?
For many households, electricity bills have become harder to predict, especially in a state where heating and cooling needs can strain monthly budgets.
Felicia Jadczak, Precinct 2 Councilor and Council VP in Easthampton, said: "Electricity and utility costs have been increasing; it can be hard to budget when we don't know how much that'll be."
It also gives residents a simpler way to choose more renewable energy without needing to install rooftop solar or make major home upgrades.
Customers who already rely on utility-related support will retain those benefits.
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What's being done?
Municipal aggregation programs are designed to allow cities to negotiate electricity supply on behalf of residents and businesses while maintaining utility service. In Easthampton, that means customers can gain new choices without changing the company that sends bills or handles outage-related repairs.
Automatic enrollment will not apply to everyone. Customers who already use a third-party supplier will not receive enrollment notices and would need to join on their own if they want to participate.
"In MA, we have long winters and hot summers, and electricity costs is how people are struggling with budgeting," Jadczak said.
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