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
Northborough had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.
- The Town Meeting vote occurred on April 25, 2016.
2. Public review and comment
To obtain the regulatory approval needed to launch Northborough Power Choice, the Town 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 Northborough will meet regulatory requirements.
- Northborough’s Aggregation Plan was presented to the public on February 12, 2024, and made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from February 12 – March 15, 2024.
3. Regulatory review and approval
Northborough submitted its Aggregation Plan to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for review and then to the DPU for approval.
- Northborough’s Aggregation Plan was reviewed by DOER on March 19, 2024.
- Northborough’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the DPU for review and approval on April 23, 2024. A public hearing occurred as part of that process on June 25, 2024.
- Northborough’s Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on January 17, 2025.
4. Signing an electricity supply contract
Once the regulatory review process was complete and Northborough’s Aggregation Plan received approval from the DPU, Northborough implemented a competitive procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier.
- Northborough signed a 24-month contract with First Point Power that is in effect from May 2025 to May 2027.
5. Public notification and education
After the electricity supply contract was signed, Northborough 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 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.
- Coming-soon postcard mailing date: March 4, 2025
- Opt-out notice mailing date: March 11, 2025
6. Program launch
At the conclusion of the public education effort, Northborough Power Choice launched. Accounts on National Grid’s Basic Service were automatically enrolled in the program, unless they chose to opt out. (Automatic enrollment is state law.) Electricity customers who had private electricity supply contracts were not be automatically enrolled but are able to enroll quickly and easily if they wish. Northborough Power Choice launched with May 2025 meter reads.
