MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES HAS APPROVED THE CITY OF BOSTON'S COMMUNITY
CHOICE ELECTRICITY PROGRAM
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BOSTON
- Thursday, July 23, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of
Boston has received
approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to
move forward with its Community Choice Electricity program. The program will
allow the City to buy electricity on behalf of residents and businesses. By
combining its buying power, the City will be able to provide affordable and
renewable electricity to those who participate in the program.
Under
the program, Eversource (the local utility) will continue to deliver
electricity to residents over their power lines. They will also continue to
provide customer service and billing. Participation in the program would only
change residents' electric supply.
"Community
Choice Energy will help Boston deliver electricity in a way that is safe,
affordable, and convenient for all residents," said Mayor Walsh.
"As we continue our work to achieve carbon neutrality in Boston by 2050,
creating affordable energy options represents Boston's commitment to equity
in all our environmental goals."
The
program is guided by six principles. The principles listed below were created
in collaboration with a working group of Boston residents, advocates, and
local leaders:
The
defining feature of Community Choice Electricity is its size and buying
power. The City will be able to secure a power supply that meets its goals
for the future by combining the buying power of thousands of residents and
businesses.
"Community
is the key word in this program," said Chris Cook, Chief of the Mayor's
Office of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. "I want to thank all of
the advocates and organizations who helped the City advance Community Choice
Electricity. I look forward to continuing this work towards a carbon free
Boston."
The
City of Boston submitted its plan for the program to the Department of Public
Utilities on June 20, 2019. With the conclusion of the regulatory review
process, the City will now develop the electric supply offerings that will be
available to residents through the program.
The
City of Boston is on schedule to launch Community Choice Electricity in early
2021. Community Choice Electricity is an opt-out program. This means that
Eversource Basic Service customers will be enrolled in the program unless
they actively choose not to be enrolled. Before the program launches,
residents will be given a period within which they can choose to opt out.
Although the program cannot guarantee cost savings, the City of Boston is
committed to working towards affordable and stable electric rates.
"As
Chair of the Boston City Council's Committee on Environment, Resiliency, and
Parks, I am happy to see Community Choice Electricity move forward in the
City of Boston," said City Councilor Matt O'Malley. "This program
will benefit all of Boston's residents and help in our efforts to reach
carbon neutrality in the near future."
"As
youth leaders and Boston residents, we care deeply about how climate change
will impact our city," said Rachel Gunther, Associate Director of Youth
on Board, who helped with the program goals. "We are actively working to
help other young people understand how private, for-profit electric companies
negatively impact our communities, and the alternative that Community Choice
Electricity presents. Participating in the Community Choice Electricity
working group has been an enriching learning experience and we are excited to
see the program move closer to providing access to green energy for all
Boston residents."
For
more information on the City of Boston's Community Choice Electricity
program, visit Boston.gov/community-choice-electricity.
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