（Boston Orange編譯）麻州公共事業部（DPU）1月20日宣布，透過簡化審核程序已成功批准 47 項「市政電力整合計畫」（Municipal Aggregation Plans），預計將為參與計畫市鎮的用戶節省總計 2,500 萬美元的電費負擔。目前已有 35 個市鎮完成供應商簽約，正式為當地居民提供更具競爭力的電價選擇。
根據 DPU 數據，已簽約參加計劃的35個市鎮，住宅用戶們在 2024 年 12 月至 2026 年 7 月期間，每月電費帳單節省 2.36 美元至 18.60 美元（與傳統電力公司的基本服務費率相比）。
DPU 主席 Jeremy McDiarmid 表示：「市政整合計畫是提升能源負擔能力的關鍵工具。用戶在享受更低電價的同時，也能獲得計畫中綠色能源帶來的環境效益」。
DPU從 2024 年 7 月實踐4 個月內完成計畫審核並發布指令的承諾後，監管效率提升，也確保各市鎮能迅速進入能源市場奪得價格優勢。目前全州已有 245 個、約 70% 的市鎮獲批相關計畫。
DPU指出，除了節省支出，這批新計畫也加強了使用清潔能源，許多市鎮能源計畫要求採購的再生能源數量已超過麻州法律規定的「再生能源配額標準（RPS）」，協助麻州加速能源轉型。
麻州「市政電力整合」制度起源於 1997 年。該制度授權地方政府代表轄區內的居民與企業，集體向電力供應商進行議價與招標，以取得比個人申辦更優惠的費率或更清潔的電力來源。根據 2025 年 6 月數據，全麻州已有 52% 的住宅用戶與 42% 的小型工商業用戶受惠於此類計畫。
DPU 提醒所有居民，在更換電力供應商或參與市政計畫時，應對近期相關的詐騙行為保持警覺。如需查詢核准名單或了解詳情，請至 DPU 官方網站。
DPU-Approved Municipal Aggregation Plans Save Electric Customers Money
Recently approved Plans will save enrolled customers $25 million on their electricity bills
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has made significant headway in approving Municipal Aggregation Plans (Plans), leading to millions of savings for enrolled customers. Since the DPU issued guidelines in July 2024, the agency has approved 47 Plans, 35 of which have entered into contracts with suppliers. This incredible effort demonstrates the ways in which the DPU has streamlined its processes and improved regulatory efficiency to provide real-time savings for customers.
“Municipal aggregation is a critical energy affordability tool,” said Chair Jeremy McDiarmid. “Our experience to date shows that customers who participate in their city or town’s Plan can save money on their electric bills while taking advantage of the environmental benefits produced by each Plan’s clean energy supply. I am proud of the tremendous work the Department has done to expedite the approval process and unlock greater savings.”
“It’s great to see the progress that has been made,” said Commissioner Liz Anderson. “The slate has been wiped clean and the backlog removed. Now, more cities and towns can move quickly to offer electricity supply at reasonable, competitive rates to their constituents.”
“Through reforming our review process, we have empowered more municipalities, giving them the flexibility and responsibility to procure cleaner electricity options with competitive prices,” said Commissioner Staci Rubin. “What’s more, the Plans we recently approved have supplied Massachusetts with more renewable energy, exceeding the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard for retail energy.”
Participants enrolled in one of the 35 Municipal Aggregation Plans will see $2.36 to $18.60 in monthly savings through July 2026. Residential electric customers enrolled in these Plans will have saved roughly $25 million from December 2024 to July 2026, compared to the basic service rates offered by the investor-owned electric utilities. July 2026 is the latest month for which basic service prices are known; electric utilities procure their supply in six-month periods. Accordingly, whether customers continue to experience savings after July 2026 will not be known until basic service prices are approved for the period of August 2026 through January 2027.
The DPU’s streamlined approach has not only lowered enrolled customers’ bills but has equipped more homes and businesses with a higher percentage of clean, renewable energy, by purchasing clean energy. Many of the 35 executed Plans require the purchase of clean energy in amounts that exceed the state’s Clean and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards.
The DPU’s current approach has improved regulatory efficiency and includes a commitment to a four-month period to review the Plans and issue an order, with many decisions occurring in less than four months. This approach allows municipalities to stand up their Municipal Aggregation Programs quickly, taking advantage of the energy market to optimize savings for their residents and local businesses.
To date, the DPU has approved 245 Municipal Aggregation Plans since the approval of the first plan in August 2000: close to 70% of the state’s municipalities can offer their residents and businesses clean and affordable electricity.
All municipalities with approved Municipal Aggregation Programs and customers who choose to switch electricity suppliers are advised to be aware of recent scams and stay informed by visiting the DPU’s page.
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