Yes, rates are going up, but the Wendell Community Choice Program can offer savings this winter compared to National Grid.
Here are some details:
- The Wendell Community Choice Power Supply Program will change suppliers from Dynegy to Constellation in January of 2023.
- The electric supply rate will change from 8.74 cents/kWh to 22.87 cents/kWh and is locked in for one year.
- For those participating in this program, the average household using approximately 800 kWh a month could see an increase in their monthly supply charges from $72 to $184.
- National Grid's rate (Nov 2022-April 2023) is higher than the Wendell rate at 33.89 cents/kWh (average monthly supply charge of $272).
- Almost 350 Wendell households are already signed up for this program. If you are in the program and take no action, your electric supply will switch to Constellation for your January 2023 bill
- To join (or leave) now, go to this website: https://colonialpowergroup.com/wendell/ or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 (make sure to have your electric bill handy!)
- Fuel Assistance is available for low-income families from Community Action: https://www.communityaction.us/fuel-assistance
Is it ‘green energy’?
Our supply with Dynegy was 100% green based on the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from Texas wind facilities. Our new supply with Constellation will not be 100% but instead will contain 5% Massachusetts Class I RECs, greater than what is already required for all Mass utilities. RECs have varied levels of 'greenness' depending on many factors, but most would agree that Texas wind RECs are low quality (and therefore cost less) whereas Mass Class I RECS are high quality (and therefore cost more). We were able to choose the level of green electricity when we accepted this bid and opted to pick a lower amount of high-quality RECs this time around to keep the electricity greener than National Grid but also not raise the rate too much, since the rate hike was already going to be a burden for many.
If you're interested in learning more about RECs and how they work, you can read more here: https://www.vox.com/2015/11/9/9696820/renewable-energy-certificates
