The Gardner Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program. According to Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134), municipal aggregation enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with an alternative electricity supply. Once in place, the local government can monitor and set its own energy related goals for the program such as savings, stability or green options. Consumers are no longer “stuck” with the cost and fluctuation of the utility’s Basic Service rates because the program offers them another option.
This Program only affects the supply portion of your monthly bill. It will not affect the delivery portion. National Grid will continue to deliver your electricity but Gardner, using a competitive bid process, has chosen the supplier for the Program.
The City of Gardner is pleased to announce that NextEra Energy Services, with offices in both Texas and Louisiana, has been selected as the supplier for its Program.
If you have questions about this program, you can contact NextEra at 855-639-8076.
The number one question we hear is "why is my electric bill still high?"
Supply charges
The first component of your bill is supply charges. Your power supply charge is between one-quarter to half of your bill. There are two types of entities that can provide your electric supply service:
the investor owned electric company that provides delivery services in your area (Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil), and
competitive suppliers.
Delivery charges
The second component of your bill are delivery charges. Delivery charges include:
distribution charges
transmission charges
transition charges
costs related to the development of renewable energy sources and efficiency programs
Although the rates for delivery service will vary depending on which town you live in, the entity that provides your electric supply service does not affect your delivery charges. The only way to reduce the delivery portion of your bill is to use less electricity, which lowers both your delivery charges and your supply charges. Your electric company and some suppliers offer energy efficiency programs to help you limit your energy use.
Please note that electric bills fluctuate during the year which is mainly because of household usage. There are many ways to reduce your usage, such as unplugging appliances that still draw electricity. Do you have outdoor lighting that is not solar? Do you leave ceiling fans on? Do you leave lights on after you leave the room? Are you now working from home? Big appliances tend to be used more during the winter months. Are your appliances older? Look around your home at all the technology that uses chargers: cell phones, MP3 players, iPads and tablet PCs, electric razors, electric toothbrushes, laptops, portable game systems, and a whole slew of similar devices. The more tech- and gadget-oriented you are, the more likely you are to have these devices plugged in and sucking energy from your home — and the more likely you are to pay an expensive electric bill because of them.
Click here for more answers to your questions regarding the City of Gardner's Municipal Aggregation Program. You can also call the Mayor's Office at 978-630-1490.
