Program implementation process

Municipal electricity aggregation was enabled by the Massachusetts Restructuring Act of 1997 (Chapter 164, Section 134) and is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The implementation process includes a regulatory review and approval process that typically requires several months. The list below includes key milestones in the program implementation process.

1. Public vote

 Sherborn had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The Town Meeting vote occurred on August 15, 2020.

2. Public review and comment

 To obtain the necessary regulatory approval to launch Sherborn Power Choice, the Town must first create an Aggregation Plan and make it available for public review and comment. The Aggregation Plan is a high-level authorization document that lays out the program structure and demonstrates how Sherborn will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Sherborn’s aggregation plan was presented to the public on March 8, 2021, and made available for a 3-week public review and comment period.

3. Regulatory review and approval

 Sherborn submitted its Aggregation Plan to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for review and then to the DPU for approval.

  • Sherborn’s plan was reviewed by the Massachusetts DOER on April 13, 2021.
  • Sherborn submitted its aggregation to the DPU for review and approval on May 14, 2021. The DPU held a hearing to accept public comment on July 20, 2021.
  • Sherborn’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on December 27, 2023.

4. Choosing an electricity supplier and signing an electricity supply contract

 Once the regulatory review process was complete and Sherborn’s Aggregation Plan received approval from the DPU, Sherborn implemented a public procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier.

  • Sherborn signed a 24-month electricity supply contract with Gridwealth Electric on February 27, 2024.

5. Public notification and education

 After the electricity supply contract was signed, Sherborn conducted a public education effort to inform the community about program details like price and renewable energy. This effort included public information sessions. In addition, a formal notification letter was sent from the Town to each electricity account holder who was eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. The letter included information about program options and prices and how to opt out if you do not want to participate.

  • Coming-Soon Postcard mailing date: March 26, 2024.
  • Opt-Out Notice mailing date: April 2, 2024.

6. Program launch

 At the conclusion of the public education effort, Sherborn Power Choice launched.

  • The program launched with June 2024 meter reads.