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

Framingham had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

  • The City Council vote occurred on March 15, 2022.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the regulatory approval needed to launch Framingham Community Electricity, the City first created a draft Aggregation Plan and made it and other aggregation documents available for public review and comment.

The Aggregation Plan is a high-level authorization document that lays out the program structure and demonstrates how Framingham will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Framingham’s Aggregation Plan was made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from May 1 – June 1, 2023, and was presented to the public on May 2, 2023.

3. Regulatory review and approval

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

  • Framingham participated in an advisory meeting with the DOER on July 11, 2023.
  • Framingham’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU on February 2, 2024.
  • Framingham’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on September 23, 2024.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

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

  • Framingham signed a 24-month contract with First Point Power that is in effect from March 2025 – March 2027.

5. Public notification and education

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

  • Coming-soon postcard mailing date: January 17, 2025
  • Opt-out notice mailing date: January 24, 2025

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Framingham Community Electricity will launch. Any account on Eversource’s Basic Service will be automatically enrolled in the program, unless they choose to opt out. (Automatic enrollment is state law.) Any electricity customer who has a private electricity supply contract at this time will not be automatically enrolled but will be able to enroll quickly and easily if they wish. Framingham Community Electricity will launch with March 2025 meter reads.