Energy Supply
Plymouth's Community Choice Power Supply Program
Plymouth Community Choice Program is an electricity aggregation program, which is a type of group electricity purchasing program for Plymouth residents and businesses from the Town of Plymouth. Program participants receive electricity from renewable sources and long-term, stable electricity supply prices (though savings compared with Eversource’s prices cannot be guaranteed).
The Town of Plymouth has signed a twenty-four month contract with a new electricity supplier, Constellation New Energy. Beginning with the October 2023 meter reads, the Plymouth Community Choice Power Supply Program’s standard product will have a new rate of $0.14813 per kWh and be a 100 percent green product derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Since the Program’s standard product is now 100 percent renewable, it will no longer offer an optional product.
For Plymouth residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s standard product, the current rate of $0.09807 per kWh will expire with the October 2023 meter reads and the new rate of $0.14813 per kWh will take effect. This represents an increase of $30 per month on the supply side of the bill given the average usage of 600 kWh. However, it is 8 percent lower than Eversource’s summer Residential Basic Service price of $0.16078 per kWh and participants are expected to see continued savings compared to Eversource for the months of January 2024 through June 2024. Eversource’s rates will change on January 1, 2024, and should be known in late-November. Historically, Eversource’s winter rates have been higher than their summer rates.
“Although the Program rate is increasing due to market conditions, we are pleased that it will still offer savings over the Basic Service price and provide stability thereby insulating ratepayers from market fluctuations,” said Derek Brindisi, Plymouth Town Manager.
It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. This change will be seen on the November 2023 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will see the new rate and Constellation New Energy printed under the “Supplier Services” section of their monthly bill. Those who had chosen the optional green product in the previous term will be automatically enrolled in Plymouth’s standard product.
The Plymouth Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. 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 twice a year or more, 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 Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Eversource customers who meet certain means criteria can qualify to receive a discount on their electric bills.
Residents may also visit the Colonial Power Group's Website or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Plymouth’s Community Choice Power Supply Program or to opt-in or opt-out.
How to Check Your Energy Supplier
- Residents can verify their supplier by viewing their Eversource Electric Bill on Page 2, Total Charges for Electricity – Supplier. If Constellation New Energy (formerly Dynegy) is noted as the supplier, then no further action is required as they are already enrolled in Plymouth’s Program.
- If not, residents may call Colonial Power at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to sign up. View the Energy Switch website or call Colonial Power at the above number. You will need your Eversource account number to sign up.
Disclaimers
Participating in Plymouth's Community Choice program will change your electricity supplier and the price Eversource uses to calculate the supply portion of your electricity bill, but participating will not replace Eversource as your electric utility. Eversource is still the company you call for service or power outages, and they are still the company that will bill you for your electricity use. Also, because Eversource's prices change and future prices are not known, future savings compared with Eversource's prices cannot be guaranteed.
Please note: Please note the Department of Public Utilities has mandated that the Town of Plymouth provide the following disclaimer. "The Town of Plymouth does acknowledge that Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, 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 Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed."
Third Party Solicitations
You have the right to choose your own electricity supplier. If you choose to sign a contract with an electricity supplier other than Eversource or the Community Choice Program, the Town recommends that read the fine print closely for:
- A low introductory price that later rises or varies sharply.
- Contracts that commit you to a certain period of time and charge an early termination fee if you try to leave early.
- Claims that another program offers the same renewable energy as Plymouth's Community Choice program.
If someone calls you or comes to your door and wants to talk to you about your electricity bill, they do not represent the Town of Plymouth or Eversource. Neither Plymouth's Community Choice program nor Eversource, will ever call you or come to your door. If someone does call or come to your door, protect your Eversource account number. Treat it like a credit card number. Remember, if anyone you don't know asks to see a copy of your electricity bill, you do not need to provide it.