Webster Announces New PowerUp Program
The Town of Webster has begun the planning process of implementing the Webster PowerUp program, a municipal electricity aggregation. By bulk purchasing electricity for the entire community within the program, Webster will seek a lower rate than National Grid’s Basic Service electricity supply rate and the price stability that comes with a fixed contract.
The program will launch once the Town’s aggregation plan is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. All Webster residents and businesses that currently receive National Grid Basic Service will be automatically enrolled in Webster PowerUp. Electricity customers who have already established a contract with their own electricity supplier will not be automatically enrolled.
Program participants will continue to receive and pay one bill from National Grid, and National Grid will continue to be responsible for delivering electricity to Webster and for addressing power outages. Anyone who participates in budget billing or is eligible for discounts from National Grid will continue to receive those same benefits as a participant in Webster PowerUp, and anyone with solar panels on their property will continue to receive net metering credits as a participant in this program.
Participation in the program is not required. Residents and businesses that do not wish to participate in Webster PowerUp will have the freedom to opt out of the program before it begins and remain with National Grid. Residents and businesses on National Grid Basic Service will receive a letter in the mail 30 days before program launch notifying them of their right to opt out of the program and explaining how to do so. After program launch, residents and businesses can continue to opt out at any time with no penalty.
Webster has engaged the external consulting team of Peregrine Energy Group and Bay State Consultants to help draft the aggregation plan, move the plan through the state regulatory approval process, educate Webster residents and businesses about the program, and provide customer support once the program launches. The planning and regulatory approval process is expected to require several months.
The draft Webster PowerUp program plan is available for public review from December 11, 2017 until 5:00 PM on January 8, 2018. Those interested in reviewing it can access it online at www.masspowerchoice.com/webster. The plan will also be discussed at the Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for December 11, 2016, at 6:00 PM and available in hard copy for review at that time.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to review the plan and submit written comments by email to Jennifer Cederberg at jcederberg@webster-ma.gov.