SWAMPSCOTT — The town is eager to get the word out about Swampscott Community Power, an initiative that supplies residents with renewable energy at fixed rates and a variety of options to choose from.
Swampscott Community Power is a group electricity buying program that’s open to both residents and local businesses. Using the purchasing power of the community, the program provides consumer protections, fixed rates until 2027, and three electricity supply choices, with two 100% renewable options.
The importance of the initiative was reiterated by the threat of shady offers from energy supply companies, where people are hooked by a low initial price which results in people paying more in the end, with the ultimate ambition of getting word out to help residents know there are better alternatives out there.
Climate Action and Resilience Committee member George Allen said the committee is working hard to spread the message.
“We want people to be aware there’s a lot of opportunistic vendors out there who promise you gift cards or $100 off, they promise you money if you sign up — because in the long run, they’re making money off you,” Allen said. “But the Swampscott Community Power, the rates are fixed for about three years, and while they might be a little higher than National Grid at the moment, going forward on the three-year contract, they will be less than National Grid.”
Swampscott has previously signed a contract with NextEra Energy Services to supply the town with renewable electricity, including 15 percent from renewable energy projects in New England.
According to Mass Power Choice, the company behind the initiative, more than 200 communities throughout Massachusetts have similar programs. The goal of the program is to provide savings when compared with the average of National Grid’s changing prices, per the website.
“National Grid’s prices change every 6 months or less, which exposes you to seasonal price spikes. Participating in Swampscott Community Power will make your electricity supply price predictable and stable and will protect you from seasonal spikes,” the website said.
Community and Economic Development Director Marzie Galazka said that the bid for the project came closer to the power supply rates by National Grid.
While the initiative offers three categories to choose from, new participants will automatically be enrolled in the “Standard Green,” which costs 14.837 per kilowatt-hour, and provides participants with electricity from within and outside New England.
There’s also the basic option for residents or businesses to choose from, and only costs 13.976 per kilowatt-hour, and provides people with the minimum amount of electricity from renewable energy sources required by law.
The third option, “New England Green,” costs 16.796 per kilowatt-hour and gives participants electricity from within the New England region.
The website stated that National Grid’s residential prices are currently 14.672 per kilowatt-hour, commercial is 13.409 per kilowatt-hour, and industrial is 13.687 per kilowatt-hour, though those rates are subject to periodic change.
In order to help stimulate the development of more clean electricity on the town’s local grid, Swampscott prioritizes buying from new renewable sources in the New England region.
