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Public Hearing Notice

On July 25, 2024, the Town of Spencer (“Town”) filed a request with the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) for approval of a municipal aggregation plan pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 134. The Department will conduct a virtual public hearing to receive comments on the Town’s filing. The Department will conduct the hearing using Zoom videoconferencing on Monday, November 18, 2024, beginning at 2:00 PM. Attendees can join by entering the link, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82957525290, from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. No prior software download is required. For audio-only access to the hearings, attendees can dial in at (301) 715 8592 (not toll free) and then enter the Meeting ID# 829 5752 5290. If you anticipate providing comments via Zoom during the public hearing, to the extent possible, please send an email by the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Friday, November 15, 2024, to timothy.m.federico@mass.gov with your name, email address, and mailing address.

Download the complete Notice of Filing, Request for Comments, and Public Hearing (PDF)

The Town of Spencer is developing a plan for a consumer-friendly electricity program called Spencer Electric Choice. The program is an electricity aggregation, which is a kind of group electricity purchasing program for Spencer residents and businesses.  

Through Spencer Electric Choice, the Town will use its collective buying power to provide new electricity choices and stable electricity supply prices. While Spencer Electric Choice will not be able to guarantee lower prices compared with National Grid’s Basic Service prices, the Town is committed to working toward providing prices that are competitive and stable for the long term.

In launching Spencer Electric Choice, Spencer will join more than 200 other cities and towns in Massachusetts with similar programs. Spencer is targeting 2025 for program launch.

Town of Spencer municipal website

Program implementation process

Aggregation documents

Before launching the program, the Town must develop an Aggregation Plan and submit it to state regulators for review and approval. A public presentation was delivered about the draft Aggregation Plan for Spencer Electric Choice on April 17, 2024, and the Plan and sample Opt-Out Mailing Materials were made available for public comment from April 17 until May 20, 2024. They remain available for public review below.

In addition, a hard copy of the draft Plan is available from the Town Clerk’s office in Spencer Town Hall, the Sugden Public Library, and the Spencer Senior Center.

New electricity choices

 Spencer Electric Choice will give electricity customers in Spencer new electricity choices, including choices for buying more electricity from renewable sources.

Stable electricity prices

 Spencer Electric Choice will provide long-term electricity supply prices that will not change seasonally. The program also has the potential to provide savings when compared with National Grid’s Basic Service prices, but because National Grid’s Basic Service prices change and future prices are not known, savings cannot be guaranteed.

Consumer protections

 Spencer Electric Choice is being designed to protect Spencer consumers. The program will include no hidden fees, and you will have the freedom to opt out of the program at any time with no penalty.

Details such as prices and the program launch date will be determined after Spencer’s Aggregation Plan receives approval from state regulators. Learn about the implementation process.

How electricity aggregation works

Through Spencer Electric Choice, Spencer will choose its own electricity supplier and establish a Spencer price for Supply Services charge on participants’ electric bills. However, Spencer Electric Choice will not replace National Grid as Spencer’s electric utility. If you choose to participate:

  • National Grid will continue to deliver your electricity with no interruption, and you will continue to call National Grid if your power goes out.
  • National Grid will continue to send your electric bill, and that is the only electric bill you will receive. But on your bill, National Grid will use a Spencer price to calculate your Supply Services charge.
  • You will see no change to any discounts or credits that you receive from National Grid, such as a low-income discount.

Diagram describing how Spencer Electric Choice works.

Example National Grid bill

Spencer Electric Choice will be integrated into your existing National Grid electric bill. You will see only minor changes to the way your electric bill appears.

To understand how the program will appear on your bill, see an example bill.

Protect your electricity account number

National Grid will never knock on your door or call you to talk about your electric bill.
Only provide your account number if you are ready to change your electricity supplier.