Gill's Energy Commission will periodically post information and updates to its Facebook page about the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program. Visit them here: Gill Energy Commission's Facebook page

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JANUARY 2024 RATE INCREASE NOTIFICATION

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Town of Gill is announcing the new rates and term for its Community Choice Power Supply Program through its current electricity supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. The Town’s new aggregation rates are fixed for all rate classes for 24 months as follows:

Program Product	Term	New Rate* (Supply Only)	Renewable Energy Content
Standard (default)	January 2024 to January 2026	$0.15136 per kWh*	25% MA Class I RECs above minimum state requirements
Optional Green 100	January 2024 to January 2026	$0.18092 per kWh*	100% MA Class I RECs
Optional Green 5	January 2024 to January 2026	$0.14354 per kWh*	5% MA Class I RECs above minimum state requirements

*Rates apply to service beginning and ending on the days of the month that your meter is read in your service area. This date varies by account.

For comparison purposes, Eversource’s Residential Basic Service rate is fixed at $0.15845 per kWh from January 1, 2024 through July 31, 2024. Normally, the term would be through June 2024 but this is a transition term. In September, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an Order instructing Eversource to change its Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January [mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates]. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices.

It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. All accounts currently enrolled in the Town’s Program will continue to see Dynegy printed under the “Supplier Services” section of their monthly bill. This rate change will be seen on the February 2024 bills. Consumers with questions about the Program should call Colonial Power Group, the Town’s aggregation consultant, at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

For more detailed information about the Town’s Program, including how to OPT-OUT or OPT-IN, to change your current product selection, or to access Eversource’s Basic Service rates, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/gill or call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696. You may OPT-OUT or OPT-IN at any time in the future with NO CHARGE.

Eversource’s Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the Program’s 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 Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

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INITIAL CONSUMER NOTIFICATION from June 2020

The Consumer Notification for Gill’s Community Choice Power Supply Program has been mailed. It is in a standard, letter-sized white envelope labeled “Official Town Business” and bearing the Gill Town Seal. This is important correspondence regarding electricity rates and electricity supply, and should not be discarded as junk mail. Most Gill residents and businesses have received or will receive the mailing during the week of June 22nd.

A generic (no names, no account numbers) version of the Consumer Notification can be viewed here: Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program Consumer Notification mailer.pdf

The Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program will offer three distinct plans from which ratepayers may choose for the source of their electricity. The standard plan will include Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 28% plus an additional 25% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), adding to the amount of renewable energy created in the state.

There are two optional plans: a “Green 100” product composed of 100% renewable energy from Massachusetts Class I Recs, and a “Green 5” product composed of the Massachusetts RPS plus an additional 5% Massachusetts Class I RECs.

Residents and business owners currently on Eversource’s Basic Service rate plan will be automatically enrolled in Gill’s standard program unless they choose to “opt-out.” The opt-out response card and return envelope can be found in the same envelope as the Consumer Notification.

Ratepayers wishing to participate in either of the two optional plans offered by the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program must “opt-in” by requesting that they be enrolled in the program of their choice.

Gill joined 12 other area towns (Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Huntington, New Salem, Northfield, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, and Whately) in a contract with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services to bring affordable, environmentally aware, and locally controlled electricity programs to the region. The consortium of communities signed a 41-month agreement which will collectively save Gill ratepayers more than $41,000 in electricity costs during the contract term.

The program is scheduled to begin in August 2020, with pricing changes and use of additional renewable energy reflected in September 2020 bills.

There are no early termination or cancellation fees attached to the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program. Participants may leave, or opt-out of, the program whenever they choose, with no financial penalty. If you have a supplier block on your electricity account, you must contact Eversource to request that the block be removed if you would like to enroll in Gill’s electricity program.

Any ratepayer switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers with third-party supply contracts should verify terms before switching.

There will be no noticeable change in service and no interruption in billing or power. Dynegy Energy Services, the selected electricity supplier for Gill’s Community Choice Program, will be printed under the “Supplier Services” title on Eversource bills. Gill ratepayers will continue to receive one bill from Eversource and Eversource will process all payments.

Eversource Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on the rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate in the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the multi-town aggregation is to provide ratepayers with more options in the purchase of renewable energy and to deliver savings over the life of the program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

To learn more about Gill’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, visit www.colonialpowergroup.com/gill or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program. According to Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134), municipal aggregation enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with an alternative electricity supply. Once in place, the local government can monitor and set its own energy related goals for the program such as savings, stability or green options. Consumers are no longer “stuck” with the cost and fluctuation of the utility’s Basic Service rates because the program offers them another option.

The Town has partnered with Colonial Power Group to implement our Program. To learn more about the Program, and to view important notices and Opt In and Opt Out choices, please visit the web page for the Program: GILL COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER SUPPLY PROGRAM.

This Program only affects the supply portion of your monthly bill. It will not affect the delivery portion. Eversource will continue to deliver your electricity but Gill, using a competitive bid process, has chosen Dynegy Energy Services, of Dallas,Texas, as the supplier for its Program.

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The Town of Gill's Aggregation Plan is available in the Files section below. The Mass. Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Hearing Notice, docket 18-139, for the Town's municipal aggregation plan is also in the Files section.