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

Beverly had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the regulatory approval needed to launch Beverly Community Electric, 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 Beverly will meet regulatory requirements.

  • Beverly’s Aggregation Plan was presented to the public on January 20, 2021, and made available for a 3-week public review and comment period.

3. Regulatory review and approval

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

  • Beverly’s Aggregation Plan was reviewed by the Massachusetts DOER on February 16, 2021.
  • Beverly’s Aggregation Plan was submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities on March 17, 2021, and the DPU held a hearing to accept public comments on the plan on July 20, 2021.
  • Beverly’s Aggregation Plan received approval from the Massachusetts Department of Utilities on December 27, 2023.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

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

  • Beverly signed a 20-month contract with First Point Power that is in effect from May 2024 – January 2026.

5. Public notification and education

To launch the program, Beverly sent a formal notification in February to electricity account holders with National Grid’s Basic Service who were eligible for automatic enrollment in the program. (The automatic enrollment model is state law.) The notice included information about program options and prices and how to opt out if you do not wish to participate.

In addition, Beverly conducted public outreach about the program, which included a media release and public information sessions where community members could ask questions.

  • The automatic enrollment notification for program launch was mailed on February 27, 2024.

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Beverly Community Electric launched.

  • Beverly Community Electric launched in May 2024.