Single Decision of Gardner MA Mayor Nicholson has potential to save households Millions
The electric contract Mayor Nicholson signed on May 1, 2023 (known as Municipal Electric Aggregation) at a rate of just over 14 cents per kilowatt hour goes into effect on November 1, 2023 and goes through October 31, 2025. It represents over a 9 cent per kilowatt hour reduction over the recent one year contract. The Mayor made a decision last year to go for one year because as he stated, “I notified the Council that while the rates were much lower than the rate National Grid was offering, they were still high, so I made the decision to only sign a one-year contract at this rate, rather than lock the City for three years at this rate.” The previous 2019-2022 contract had a rate of 13 cents per kilowatt hour.
With 8500+ households in Gardner MA and an average savings of $57 per month based on usage of 600kw, this new plan could save Gardner consumers over $480,000 per month over the previous rate or over $200,000 per month over National Grid’s recently announced basic rate.
Are there less costly options? There are 2 sources where you could save a negligible 1/10 of a cent per kilowatt hour for 12 months. Other options are more expensive. Check it out for yourself: To join the City of Gardner plan, visit this website:
Those already enrolled in the City’s program will be in the new program automatically. It is 22% lower than National Grid’s recently announced basic Residential Basic Service rate of just over 18 cents per kilowatt hour. For those switching to the City plan from another supplier, the City recommends customers verify terms before switching because of possible penalties or early termination fees. And remember, while the program is November 2023 through November 2025, “rates apply to service beginning and ending on the days of the month that your meter is read in your service area.” If you choose to leave the City plan at any time there is no fee to switch to another supplier. Also note: If you fail to pay your bill in a timely manner, you may be switched back to the National Grid basic service.
More information on City of Gardner website