FRAMINGHAM — With a new community electricity program set to launch in March, city officials are hosting four informational sessions next month to assist residents and small businesses in understanding the new initiative.
In a press release, city officials said Framingham’s community electricity program will follow an automatic enrollment model, in line with similar programs elsewhere in the state. Participation is optional, with residents having until Feb. 26 to opt out before automatic enrollment begins.
Customers can also try the program and opt out later without facing any penalties or fees, according to the release.
Accounts currently receiving Eversource’s Basic Service will qualify for automatic enrollment, city officials said. These customers will see the new rate reflected on their electric bills starting in April.
The community electricity program received state regulatory approval in September. Framingham is joining more than 200 other Massachusetts communities with similar electricity programs, including Newton, Natick and Sherborn.
Participants receive 35% of their electricity from renewable sources
Participants in Framingham’s community electricity program will receive 35% of their electricity from new renewable sources in New England at a price of 12.818 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is lower than Eversource’s residential price of 13.241 cents per kilowatt-hour, which takes effect Feb. 1. However, because Eversource’s prices change seasonally, future savings compared to Eversource cannot be guaranteed.
Two additional options are available upon request. Participants can choose to receive 100% of their electricity from new renewable sources in New England, known as “Framingham Green Plus,” for 15.418 cents per kilowatt-hour. Alternatively, they can select “Framingham Basic,” which provides the minimum required amount of renewable sources by law, for 12.588 cents per kilowatt-hour.
All prices for the community electricity program will remain unchanged through March 2027, city officials said. Eversource will continue to be responsible for delivering electricity to Framingham, managing power outages and handling all billing.
The four public information sessions are scheduled to occur at the following times:
Also, the city’s sustainability coordinator, Shawn Luz, will hold drop-in office hours from 3-7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Ablondi Room at the Memorial Building.
For more information, visit www.FraminghamCommunityElectricity.com, available in four languages.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham will hold informational sessions on new electricity program