Lois Barber
November 2019 - The secret is "municipal aggregation," also called ‘Power Choice,’ in which the municipality bargains for its residents jointly. This aggregated bargaining power lowers the price to the point where, often, 100% renewable energy is cheaper than the original utility price. In Newton, MA, for example, 100% renewable is about 10% cheaper than the regular utility price. To be clear, both the utility and the aggregated prices are subject to change, because both are bargained on the open market.
If your town already has municipal aggregation, you can "opt up" to choose 100% renewable energy. When you are part of an aggregated plan, your current utility company would continue to handle your account, send you the bill, and handle repairs to the grid. You can sign on or quit anytime, at no charge.
This is HUGE, because current residential electricity emits about 15% of total US CO2 emissions.
TAKE ACTION:
Call your town or city hall*, ask for the department or person related to your municipality’s electricity source, and then ask If your community is part of a municipal aggregation plan.
If ‘yes’, sign up and specifically ask to get 100% renewable energy for your home and/or business. Note that getting renewable energy produced in your area is better if your community offers this option. Locally produced renewable energy provides regional jobs, keeps the money in your area, and will encourage development of more local renewable energy production.
If your town or city isn’t part of a municipal aggregation plan, urge your local government to become part of this growing movement for locally produced renewable energy that may save you money.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
See: https://www.sierraclub.org/massachusetts/community-choice-energy for more information on the advantages of municipal aggregation over other "green" plans.
* Contact info varies from state to state and town to town. Here are a few contact numbers we are aware of re municipal aggregation for cities in Eastern MA: In Newton, Cambridge, and Watertown, the supplier is Direct Energy at 866-968-8065. In Brookline and Somerville, MA, it's Dynegy at 866-220-5696. In Lexington, it's Constellation New Energy at 844-813-7876.
Multiply this Message: Write a letter to the editor about this important & timely issue. This is a powerful way to educate and mobilize others.
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