Andover, Ma: Municipal Electric Company Or Private Provider?

does andover ma have a municipal electric company

Andover, Massachusetts, has a municipal electric company called Andover Community Power (ACP). ACP is dedicated to providing its customers with low-cost and reliable electricity. The company offers a community default option called Andover Standard, which offers electricity at 13.905 ¢/kWh. Andover Community Power is one of the 41 communities that have established Municipal Light Plants (MLPs) that serve all or part of 50 municipalities for electric service in Massachusetts.

Characteristics Values
Has a municipal electric company Yes, Andover Community Power
Electricity bill 13.905 ¢/kWh
Renewable energy Yes, RECs qualify for MA Class I designation and come from solar, wind, anaerobic digestion, and low-impact hydro
Number of MLPs in Massachusetts 41
MLP oversight Department of Public Utilities
MLP rate-setting Municipal officials
MLP service Both distribution and supply
MLP annual return Filed with the DPU
Municipal wholesale electric company Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC)

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Andover Community Power

Andover, Massachusetts, does have a municipal electric company called Andover Community Power (ACP). The Town of Andover held multiple public informational meetings on Andover Community Power in April 2024, before the summer 2024 program launch.

The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) is a full-service agency that manages municipal utility interests. MMWEC represents its members in regulatory and legislative matters, protecting their interests and the public power business model. MMWEC's largest generation asset is the Stony Brook Energy Center, located in Ludlow, MA. The center is a valuable resource for the 25 Massachusetts municipal utilities that are Stony Brook Project Participants.

Municipalities may own, maintain and operate a municipal light plant (MLP) to provide electric and/or gas services to their citizens. MLPs are generally run by municipal light boards or commissions in a municipality, or by the mayor/board of selectmen. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has limited oversight of MLPs, as their rates are set by municipal officials.

ACP customers eligible for automatic enrollment will be mailed a notification letter in early April 2024. If you receive the letter, you are slated to be enrolled in Andover Standard (13.905 ¢/kWh) as of the June 2024 meter read. No action is required to receive this price, and you may leave the program at any time without penalty.

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Municipal light plants (MLPs)

Andover, Massachusetts, has a municipal electric company in the form of Andover Community Power (ACP). The town held public informational meetings about the program in April 2024, before its summer launch.

MLPs are governed by a Municipal Light Board (MLB), which may be an independently elected board or the town's Select Board. The MLP appoints a Manager to oversee operations and provide yearly operational and financial statements. An MLP may construct, purchase, or lease facilities to provide services such as broadband internet over a fiber-optic network. They have the flexibility to operate a network or partner with a private service provider. MLPs are empowered to act in the interests of their customers.

As of 2022, 41 communities have established MLPs that serve all or part of 50 municipalities for electric service. MLPs are regulated by the Department of Public Utilities, although their rates are set by municipal officials. On September 30, 2022, the legislature passed an Act Relative to Municipal Light Plant Participation in Green Communities, creating a new avenue for municipalities with MLPs to join the Department of Energy Resources' Green Communities Program.

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Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC)

The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) is the Commonwealth's designated joint action agency for municipal utilities in Massachusetts. It is a not-for-profit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

MMWEC is the only full-service agency equipped to manage municipal utility interests in the wholesale power market. It offers a wide range of wholesale market solutions, from compliance and bidding to invoice management and market opportunities. MMWEC also provides financial expertise and services to help its members and project participants manage their financial affairs and risk exposures.

MMWEC has been in operation for over 48 years, reflecting its commitment to public power joint action. Its largest generation asset is the Stony Brook Energy Center, located in Ludlow, MA. The center is a valuable resource for 25 Massachusetts municipal utilities and six Vermont utilities that are Stony Brook Project Participants.

MMWEC has recently partnered with Lightshift Energy to pioneer community-based energy storage at scale. This first-of-its-kind program will deploy a fleet of grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) across MMWEC's growing utility membership. Lightshift will build up to 50 megawatts (MW) of BESS, serving nearly 200,000 customers. This partnership is expected to provide over $200 million in cost savings for municipal customers while helping the Commonwealth reach its net-zero emissions goals by 2050.

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Andover's electricity suppliers

Andover, Massachusetts, has a municipal electric company called Andover Community Power (ACP). The town held public informational meetings about the company in April 2024, and customers eligible for automatic enrollment were mailed a notification letter.

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) regulates investor-owned electric companies in Massachusetts, along with some privately-owned water companies. The DPU also has limited oversight of municipal light plants (MLPs), which provide electric and/or gas services in some locations in Massachusetts. Andover likely falls under this category.

The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) is another option for municipalities to access electricity. MMWEC is a full-service agency that manages municipal utility interests in the wholesale power market. It offers a range of financial services and expertise to help its members and project participants manage their financial affairs and risk exposures.

There are also private companies that provide electricity to Andover, such as Eversource, which offers programs to help customers manage their energy costs and use less energy.

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Andover's energy costs

Andover, Massachusetts, has a municipal electric company called Andover Community Power (ACP). ACP provides Andover Standard electricity at 13.905 ¢/kWh to its customers. Andover Community Power is dedicated to providing its customers with low-cost and reliable electricity. The company also offers other optional products that customers can choose from.

The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) is a full-service agency that manages municipal utility interests in the wholesale power market. MMWEC offers various services to help its members and project participants manage their financial affairs and risk exposures. These services include tax-exempt financing and project/contract oversight for MMWEC’s ownership of approximately 700 megawatts in four New England power plants. MMWEC also represents its members in regulatory and legislative matters, protecting their interests and the public power business model.

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has limited oversight of municipal light plants (MLPs) in Massachusetts, which provide electric and/or gas services to some locations. MLPs are generally run by municipal light boards or commissions, or by the mayor/board of selectmen. The rates for MLPs are set by municipal officials, and they provide both distribution and supply services to their customers.

In terms of energy costs, Andover residents can benefit from the competitive rates offered by ACP, which is dedicated to providing low-cost electricity. Additionally, MMWEC's management of municipal utility interests and financial services can help keep energy costs competitive and manageable for Andover.

Furthermore, ACP offers programs to help residents manage their energy costs and use less energy. These programs can provide information and assistance to help customers understand and control their energy usage and associated costs.

Frequently asked questions

Andover, MA, has a municipal electric company called Andover Community Power (ACP).

A municipal electric company is a company that is owned, maintained, and operated by a municipality to provide electric and/or gas services to its citizens.

According to the Andover, MA, website, customers eligible for automatic enrollment in Andover Community Power will be mailed a notification letter in early April 2024.

Yes, you can choose your electricity supplier in Andover, MA. If you are currently with another electricity supplier and want to enroll in ACP, you can find information on how to do so on the official website.

You can contact the Consumer Division of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for help with billing issues and other concerns.

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