Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini during a recent Open Mike Show.
The city of Haverhill Thursday received formal approval of its proposed electricity pooling, or energy aggregation plan, to bring lower electric rates to city residents and businesses.
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini announced the final approval from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
“We will be going out to bid shortly to see what the market is and if we can obtain a discount for our residents,” Fiorentini said in a statement. “National Grid’s price is due to go up starting in November to 13.1 cents per (kilowatt hour). We are hoping to do better for our residents. Our residents deserve relief from these high prices.”
WHAV reported Wednesday city officials, including Energy Manager and City Purchasing Agent Orlando Pacheco, were expecting to receive the approval, pending completion of a DPU review process, within a week.
The order, dated Thursday, was issued by DPU Chairman Angela M. O’Connor and Commissioners
Jolette A. Westbrook and Robert E. Hayden. “The Department finds that Haverhill has satisfied the requirements established in G.L. c. 164, § 134, including statutory filing requirements, substantive requirements, and requirements established by the Department concerning aggregated service, subject to the directives established. In conclusion, the department approves Haverhill’s municipal aggregation plan as revised on August 19, 2015. Accordingly, after due notice and consideration, it is ORDERED: That the municipal aggregation plan filed by the City of Haverhill as revised on August 19, 2015 is APPROVED …and it is FURTHER ORDERED: That the City of Haverhill shall comply with all other directives contained in this order.”
Fiorentini, representing the city, along with James Avery, Esquire, of Pierce Atwood LLP, Boston, on behalf of the city’s energy broker Colonial Power Group Inc., appeared before DPU at a public hearing in Boston Aug. 17. Comments were also received from utility provider National Grid, Attorney General Maura Healey and “one member of the public,” according to the order’s procedural history statement. “On Aug. 19, the city submitted a revised plan, Electric Service Agreement (ESA) template, and consumer notification form. These documents included updated references to National Grid’s tariff and terms and conditions.”
The city filed a petition with the DPU June 30 to establish the Community Choice Power Supply Program, “in which the City will aggregate the load of electric customers located within City borders in order to procure competitive electric supply for Program participants. Eligible customers will be automatically enrolled in the Program unless they choose to opt out.”
According to a summary, “The mayor, with input from the Haverhill City Council, will be responsible for all program decisions, including the selection of the competitive supplier, execution of contracts, and termination of the Program. The city, through a competitive solicitation, hired Colonial Power Group Inc. as the city’s initial consultant to assist in the design, implementation, and management of the program. The city and the consultant developed the Plan in consultation with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the local distribution company, National Grid.”
“After executing an ESA for electric supply, the city, through the competitive supplier, will begin the process of notifying eligible customers in Haverhill currently receiving basic service of program initiation and the customers’ ability to opt out of the Program. The process of notification will commence at least 30 days prior to the start of service and will include direct mailings, newspaper notices, public service announcements, website postings, social media and the posting of notices in the City Hall. Those customers who do not opt out will be automatically enrolled in the program.”
I know New England customers are paying twice and at times three times what the rest of the country is paying for electricity. Yet most people have no idea why. Try looking at our lack of power generation outlets due to the shutdown of older “dirty” plants and the lack of adequate supply of natural gas which is used not only to cook your eggs and heat your home but to generate electric power. Funny how a lot of folks want nothing to do with that new pipeline project but are the loudest complainers of high electric rates.
Anyone remember when that company wanted to generate electricity from our food waste and was going to put a plant in on upper Hilldale ave ? The mayor invited them here and then let them hang out to dry when Dave Hall decided he knew more about energy than anyone else stoking the flames of misinformation to kill the project. Well, be prepared folks because that IS going to happen one day and it will happen whether we like it or not due to new DEP regulations on disposal of food waste. Haverhill lost a great opportunity due to ignorance and deceit on behalf of your elected officials.