NEWBURY – The Town of Newbury is pleased to announce that its Community Choice Power Supply Program will launch this spring, providing residents with a stable, affordable energy program that incorporates additional renewable energy.
Newbury signed an 18-month contract with Direct Energy Services. Beginning with the April 2025 meter reads, Newbury’s Program will offer three products with varying amounts of renewable energy content.
“Through municipal aggregation, we’re ensuring that Newbury’s energy needs are met in a way that aligns with our values, including affordability, reliability, and sustainability,” said Town Administrator Tracy Blais.
The Newbury Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program that, according to state law, enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses to provide them with an alternative electricity supply.
To date, approximately 190 Massachusetts communities have chosen to develop community choice electricity programs to benefit their residents and small business owners.
Residents should not notice any disruption to their electric service. Beginning in May, residents will notice that Direct Energy will be printed under “Supply Services” on National Grid’s monthly bills.
Residents and small business owners will continue to receive one bill from National Grid and will continue to send payments to National Grid for processing. There will be no interruption in billing, power, or customer service.
No action is required by ratepayers to participate in this cost-saving program. The program will be operated on an opt-out basis, meaning that all Newbury residential and business customers currently on National Grid’s Basic Service will be automatically enrolled into the program unless they choose to opt-out.
Residents or business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid to request that the block be removed if they want to participate in Newbury’s electricity program.
There are no enrollment, early termination, or cancellation fees attached to the program. Residents who initially choose to opt-out can opt-in at a later date at no cost. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
Basic Service rates change at least twice a year depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid’s Basic Service. Future savings cannot be guaranteed.
National Grid has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs.
The Town and representatives of Colonial Power Group will be holding information sessions to answer questions about Newbury’s Community Choice Power Supply Program. Dates and locations for the sessions are:
- Friday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m. at Town Library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield
- Friday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m. at Town Library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield
- Monday, March 3, 6 p.m. at Newbury Police Department, second-floor training room, 7 Morgan Ave., Newbury
- Monday, March 17, 1 p.m. at Council on Aging, 12 Kent Way, Byfield
Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/newbury or call 866-485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Newbury’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, opt-in or opt-out, or change your product selection.
About Colonial Power Group:
Based in Marlborough, Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.
