MARBLEHEAD — The town’s Municipal Light Department has created an optional “Go Green Now!” rate for customers who want to take a positive step forward in the fight against climate change.
The rate, currently set at $.022 per kilowatt-hour of energy, is designed for customers who want 100% carbon-free electricity.
Joe Kowalik, the general manager of the department, said the opt-in became available to residents on February 1.
There is a one-year commitment after purchase, with rates billed monthly. This will come along with the standard residential rate, but will remain separate. Residents can contact the department if facing financial hardship to withdraw from the service. The average monthly Go Green Now! additional cost would be $14.56.
Kowalik said that the creation of the rate was customer-driven.
“A customer came up with the idea in 2021,” he said. “Right now, we don’t have any goals. We just want to show people they have the option.”
The program is in line with the goals of Sustainable Marblehead, a community organization working to reduce waste and pollution and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Eiln Mathieu, co-chair of Sustainable Marblehead’s Clean Energy and Public Policy working group, said the organization is glad to see the department taking steps to reduce carbon emissions in the town.
“We are happy to see any progress toward reducing emissions that the Marblehead light plants create,” she said.
Sustainable Marblehead was founded in 2016 by residents Judith Black, Nancy DeMuth, John Livermore, and Patricia Sullivan.
Rachel Galatis can be reached at [email protected]
