Trystan Casey
Somerville, Massachusetts, offers a community choice electricity program called Somerville Community Choice Electricity (Somerville CCE). The program aims to stabilize and reduce electricity costs for residents and businesses in Somerville, while also increasing the share of renewable energy in the city's electricity supply. Eversource, the default electricity supplier in Somerville, adjusts rates twice annually, while the Somerville CCE program locks in rates for a fixed duration, providing stable prices for consumers. The city has developed this program in accordance with Massachusetts state law, which authorizes municipalities to aggregate the electrical load of interested consumers within their boundaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the electricity company | Somerville Community Choice Electricity (CCE) |
| Electricity supplier | Direct Energy City of Somerville |
| Electricity aggregation program | Yes |
| Stable rates | Yes |
| Renewable electricity | Yes |
| Renewable energy percentage | 5% more than the state requirement |
| Customer savings | Nearly $11 million in savings compared to Eversource Basic Service |
| Customer service number | (866) 968-8065 |
| Income-eligible customer discount | 42% discount on the entire bill |
| Electricity company in Somerville, MA | EGG-energy |
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What You'll Learn
Somerville Community Choice Electricity (CCE)
Somerville CCE is an electricity aggregation program that allows the city to aggregate the electrical load of interested consumers within its boundaries. This bulk-buying approach helps to secure competitive, stable rates for electricity. As of July 2022, the program has saved participants nearly $11 million compared to Eversource Basic Service, while also providing more renewable energy.
The default supply under the Somerville CCE program contains 5% more renewable energy than the state-mandated minimum. Ratepayers have the option to further increase their renewable energy percentage to 100% or drop down to the minimum state requirement. This transition to renewable sources is critical to Somerville's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, as an estimated 22% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions come from grid-supplied electricity.
The Somerville CCE program is optional, and ratepayers can choose to opt-out or leave the program at any time without penalty. Those who participate will still receive bills and services from Eversource, as the company remains responsible for emergency response and maintenance. While Somerville CCE aims to reduce electricity costs, savings cannot be guaranteed due to fluctuating rates set by Eversource.
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Eversource supply
Somerville, Massachusetts, has an electricity aggregation program called Somerville Community Choice Electricity (Somerville CCE). The program was launched in 2017 to reduce and stabilize electricity costs for residents and businesses in Somerville and to increase the share of renewable "green" energy in Somerville's electricity supply.
Somerville CCE is a bulk-buying program that offers competitive, stable rates for electricity. While savings cannot be guaranteed because basic service prices change every six months for residential and commercial customers and every three months for industrial customers, Somerville CCE’s default product has saved participants nearly $11 million in savings compared to Eversource Basic Service through July 2022.
Eversource, formerly known as NSTAR, is the default electricity supplier in Somerville. Somerville CCE customers are still Eversource customers and receive bills and services from Eversource. Eversource is also responsible for emergency response and maintenance for Somerville CCE customers.
Ratepayers in Somerville have the option to either increase their renewable energy percentage to 100% or drop down to the minimum state requirement. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is critical to the city's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, as an estimated 22% of Somerville's greenhouse gas emissions come from grid-supplied electricity.
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Direct Energy
The Somerville CCE program is designed to provide stable rates and an increased amount of renewable electricity above what is required by state law. The default supply under the program contains 5% more renewable energy than the state requirement, and ratepayers have the option to increase their renewable energy percentage to 100% if they choose. This focus on renewable energy is critical to Somerville's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, as an estimated 22% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions come from grid-supplied electricity.
The CCE program is a form of "municipal aggregation," where a city or town aggregates the electrical load of interested consumers within its boundaries to negotiate better rates and terms. Somerville is one of over 60 cities and towns in Massachusetts that have implemented such programs. The rates under the Somerville CCE program are fixed for the duration of the city's contract with the supplier, Direct Energy, and are expected to save ratepayers money relative to the default rates from Eversource, the previous supplier.
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Energy conservation products and services
In Somerville, Massachusetts, the city has implemented the Somerville Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program, which offers stable rates and an increased amount of renewable electricity above the state's requirements. The program is designed to reduce and stabilize the cost of electricity for residents and businesses, while also increasing the share of renewable "green" energy in the city's electricity supply. This is in line with the city's goal to become carbon neutral by 2050 and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The Somerville CCE program is an example of an energy conservation service that aims to provide cost savings and a more sustainable energy source for the community. It is important to note that participation in this program is optional, and residents and businesses can choose to opt-out or leave the program at any time without penalty.
When it comes to energy conservation products and services, there are a variety of options available to help reduce energy consumption and costs. Many professional organizations and government departments can provide assistance and resources to find energy-saving and renewable energy products and services. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy's website provides information on energy-efficient design products and services for homes.
Additionally, there are specific products that can help with energy conservation. For instance, Energy Star-certified products are designed to be energy efficient and can often lead to cost savings. Some examples include LG Refrigerators, which have earned the Energy Star Emerging Technology Award for their advanced adaptive compressors, and Electrolux appliances, which have also been recognized for their efficiency and sustainability. By choosing energy-efficient products and services, individuals and businesses can not only reduce their environmental impact but also benefit from potential cost savings.
Furthermore, some companies, such as Somerville Electric, specialize in helping clients meet the challenges of ever-changing communication and support facility requirements. They can provide expertise and solutions to ensure that businesses have the necessary infrastructure to operate efficiently and effectively, which can contribute to overall energy conservation. By consulting with professionals and staying informed about new technologies and programs, individuals and businesses can make informed decisions to optimize their energy usage and reduce their carbon footprint.
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Stable rates and renewable electricity
The City of Somerville offers a community choice electricity (CCE) program, also known as Somerville CCE, to its residents. The program aims to provide stable rates and an increased amount of renewable electricity.
Somerville CCE is a bulk-buying program that leverages the collective purchasing power of thousands of households and businesses in the city to secure competitive, stable rates for electricity. The program has been designed to reduce and stabilize electricity costs for Somerville residents and increase the share of renewable "green" energy in the city's electricity supply. This is in line with the city's goal of transitioning to carbon neutrality by 2050, as an estimated 22% of Somerville's greenhouse gas emissions come from grid-supplied electricity.
The default Somerville CCE supply contains 5% more renewable energy than what is mandated by the State of Massachusetts. Ratepayers under this program have the option to increase their renewable energy percentage to 100% or drop down to the state's minimum requirement. The program has been offering stable rates since its launch in 2017, with rates locked in for 30 months at a time. As of July 2022, Somerville CCE participants have saved nearly $11 million compared to Eversource Basic Service, while also benefiting from a higher percentage of renewable energy.
Somerville CCE is an opt-in program, and ratepayers can choose to enroll or opt out at any time without penalty. The electricity supplier's market price is offered in writing, and ratepayers must affirmatively accept it to be enrolled. The price is based on current wholesale prices and the supplier's costs at the time of enrollment and remains fixed for the duration of the city's contract with the supplier. While savings cannot be guaranteed due to fluctuating basic service prices, Somerville CCE has consistently offered competitive rates and savings to its participants.
Somerville Electric is another electricity provider in Somerville, offering support and services to meet the challenges of ever-changing communications and support facilities. Capital Power Corporation and Patriot Energy are also mentioned as electric companies in Somerville, MA.
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Frequently asked questions
Somerville Community Choice Electricity (CCE) is an electricity aggregation program for all of Somerville, providing stable rates and an increased amount of renewable electricity above state law.
The goal of the program is to reduce and stabilize the cost of electricity for residents and businesses in Somerville, as well as increase the share of renewable "green" energy in Somerville's electricity supply.
Somerville CCE uses strategic purchasing, combined with the bulk-buying power of thousands of households and businesses in the program, to provide competitive, stable rates.
You can check if you are enrolled in the Somerville CCE program by looking at your Eversource bill. If your bill says "Your electric supplier is: DIRECT ENERGY CITY OF SOMERVILLE", then your account is enrolled.
Other electric companies that service Somerville include EGG-energy, Capital Power Corporation, On Call Electrical, and Patriot Energy.
