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

Amherst, Northampton, and Pelham each had to vote publicly to pursue aggregation.

• The Amherst Town Council vote occurred on January 6, 2020.
• The Northampton City Council vote occurred on September 19, 2019.
• The Pelham Town Meeting vote occurred on May 12, 2018.

2. Public review and comment

To obtain the regulatory approval needed to launch Valley Green Energy, the communities 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 Valley Green Energy will meet regulatory requirements.

• The Valley Green Energy Aggregation Plan was made available for a 30-day public review and comment period from June 1 – June 30, 2023, and presented to the public on June 6, 2023. 

3. Regulatory review and approval

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

• The DOER advisory meeting was held on June 27, 2023.
• The Valley Green Energy Aggregation Plan received DPU approval on April 9, 2024.

4. Signing an electricity supply contract

Once the regulatory review process was complete and the Valley Green Energy Aggregation Plan received approval from the DPU, the communities of Valley Green Energy implemented a competitive procurement process to select and sign a contract with an electricity supplier.

• Amherst, Northampton, and Pelham conducted a competitive bid, and each signed an electricity supply contract with First Point Power on July 16, 2024.

5. Public notification and education

After the electricity supply contract was signed, Valley Green Energy sent a formal notification in September to electricity account holders with Eversource’s or 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, Valley Green Energy conducted a public outreach about the program, which included a media release and public information sessions where community members could ask questions.

6. Program launch

At the conclusion of the public education effort, Valley Green Energy launched.

• Valley Green Energy launched in November 2024.