Concerns about new Springfield power supply program

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Eversource customers in Springfield have less than a month to decide if they want to take part in a new program that could potentially save money on their energy bills.

On Monday, we told you about Springfield’s Community Choice Power Supply Program. A couple of customers telling us they are not thrilled about how they were approached about this and the uncertainties it raises.

Lifelong Springfield resident Tanea Eddington said she’s been an Eversource customer for nearly 20 years and is concerned about high electric rates: “It is hard to keep up with at times. My bill fluctuates. Sometimes, it’s really high. It is hard.” However, the City of Springfield currently has an alternative on the table: The Community Choice Power Supply Program.

First Point Power and Colonial Power Group will combine the purchasing power of the city’s residents and businesses. It only affects the supply portion of the monthly bill, while Eversource would still be the deliverer. First Point will then provide the electric power supply for all consumers who are right now on basic service in Springfield.

All Springfield Eversource customers are automatically enrolled in this program, but they have time to opt-out. Eddington, though, told Western Mass News she believes there should have been a plain opt-in option while the Springfield customers were being notified.

“I think that was the wrong way to go about it because you should give people the choice upfront instead of them having to figure out what date they have to figure to call or opt-out of something. You should have to opt-in, not be unwillingly put into a program.” Said Eddington.

Tina Quagliato Sullivan, Springfield’s Deputy Development Officer for Housing, Community Development and Neighborhoods for the City of Springfield provided clarification on the opt-out scenario: “The automatic opt-in is both in accordance with Massachusetts regulation for community aggregation and in accordance with the plan that was submitted and approved by the Department of Public Utilities.”

She also told us the goal is to provide cost stability, there is a contrast between Eversource supply costs and the program’s.

Current Eversource rates for supply cost more than $0.132 per kilowatt-hour until the end of January 2026. As for the standard default plan for the program, the cost would be $0.13069 per kilowatt-hour. That rate would be fixed for 35 months beginning in December.

With Eversource’s rates changing twice a year, future savings with the city’s program are not guaranteed. But Quagliato Sullivan said there is a path forward. “Folks can opt-out at any time during the 35-month period. They can opt out and opt back in as many times as they would like, and there are no fees, penalties or costs from the city associated with opting in and out through that period.”

However, Eddington isn’t sure about all this saying she plans to gather more insight while there is still time. “I’m definitely going to go seek out and see what my options are and try to make the best decision out of that. I’m aware of it, and I know there’s a bunch of people that I know who aren’t even aware of this.”

The program has not started officially yet. If you are an Eversource customer in Springfield and are looking to opt out of it before the next meter read, you must do so by November 18.

We should also note there are multiple information sessions about this coming up. On November 4 at 5:30 at the Raymond Jordan Senior Center in Blunt Park (1476 Roosevelt Avenue), and November 6 at 6:00 at the Brightwood Branch Library, community room (359 Plainfield Street).

For more detailed information regarding Springfield’s program, you can also call 1-866-485-5858 ext. 1.