Pittsfield Announces New Energy Program Rates

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power. 
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Pittsfield Community Choice Power Supply Program's standard product, which meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 69.1 percent, will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. 
 
It will also continue to offer an optional product that uses 100 percent Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates at a rate of $0.15740 per kWh.
 
For Pittsfield residents and businesses who are enrolled in the City's standard product, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect with the January 2026 meter reads. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. In addition, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $3 for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Pittsfield launched its electricity program in January 2018 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $20.1 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service. It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. 
 
All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product selection and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills.
 
The Pittsfield 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, future savings cannot be guaranteed.
 
Eversource customers who meet certain means criteria can qualify to receive a discount on their electric bills. To learn more, visit eversource.com/content/residential/account- billing/payment-assistance/discount-rate.
 
Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/pittsfield or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Pittsfield's Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change product selection.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BCC Trustees Vote to Hire Hara Charlier as Next President

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Catheryn Chacon Ortega, the alumni appointment, liked how Hara Charlier easily connected with students faculty; Melissa Myers, alumni representative, also noted how comfortable Charlier was with various groups. Charlier, right, was called after the vote and accepted pending negotiations and state approval. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It wasn't hard for BCC's Board of Trustees to elect a new president from Minnesota on Monday.

One by one, during a special meeting at Berkshire Community College, board members expressed their conviction that Hara Charlier was the best candidate to lead after Ellen Kennedy retires. They unanimously recommended Charlier as the next president of BCC to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

"We're not trying to hire a replacement for Dr. Kennedy; We are trying to hire our next leader," Chair Julia Bowen said.

Charlier, currently the president of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minn., was one of four finalists identified by the Presidential Search Committee who visited the campus. She was not on site, but was called after the vote.

Catheryn Chacon Ortega was impressed by how Charlier connected with students and faculty, as well as her passion and breadth of experience.  

"As the appointed alumni, I put myself in the students' shoes when I was thinking about this, and I think I feel very represented by her, like if I come back as a student here, I think she will be a person that will be open doors to me, to my community, to the immigrant community, to everybody," she said.

Danielle Gonzalez feels Charlier has a "very" clear commitment to the community part of community college, and a deep experience of serving underserved populations, "really just with great enthusiasm."

"I think that in addition to having really deep community college leadership experience, she was able to articulate a very thorough understanding of the issues of the college of Berkshire County, of what those opportunities might look like, and how she would connect what her experience has been with how she could drive the school forward," said Julie Hughes, a newer member of the board.
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories