BERNARDSTON — Bernardston residents and business owners will save more than $7,200 on their power bills in the first half of 2017, thanks to the newly created Community Choice Power Supply program.
Such savings is possible due to an agreement between Bernardston and Colonial Power Group, an aggregation consulting firm that works with local and state government to secure reduced electricity rates for communities across New England.
According to a Colonial Power Group press release, the program will help nearly 850 households as well as small business owners to each save 4 percent on their monthly energy bills, a combined savings of around $1,200 per month. The savings will begin with February’s bills, based on January’s meter readings.
No action is required by residents to participate in the program. Rather, all customers currently on Eversource’s basic service will automatically be enrolled, unless they choose to opt out.
Throughout the six-month period, Verde Energy USA of Norwalk, Conn., will be the electricity supplier, having been selected as the cheapest option through a competitive process.
Other than “Verde Energy USA” being printed on their monthly bills, resident won’t notice any change in their electricity service. They will continue to receive one bill from Eversource and send their payments to Eversource for processing, with no interruption in billing, power or customer service.
Mark Cappadona, president of Colonial Power Group, stated in the release that the program provides price stability, local control and competition.
“We recognize that the spikes in the cost of electricity can be burdensome for our residents,” Town Coordinator Hugh Campbell is quoted as saying in the release. “We’re pleased to work with Colonial Power to offer Bernardston residents and small business owners the opportunity to have a more stable and low-cost energy option.”
The program works through municipal electricity aggregation, allowing cities and towns to pool the electrical consumption of all ratepayers. Colonial Power Group then works with state officials, utility executives and energy industry leaders to competitively procure lower cost electricity supply. The organizations currently serves more than 60 Massachusetts communities.
Town officials and representatives of Colonial Power Group will hold an informational session concerning the program Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. during the Board of Selectmen’s meeting.