DPU-Approved Municipal Aggregation Plans Save Electric Customers Money

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has made headway in approving Municipal Aggregation Plans (Plans), leading to millions of savings for enrolled customers. 

Since the DPU issued guidelines in July 2024, the agency has approved 47 Plans, 35 of which have entered into contracts with suppliers. This incredible effort demonstrates the ways in which the DPU has streamlined its processes and improved regulatory efficiency to provide real-time savings for customers. 

"Municipal aggregation is a critical energy affordability tool," said Chair Jeremy McDiarmid. "Our experience to date shows that customers who participate in their city or town's Plan can save money on their electric bills while taking advantage of the environmental benefits produced by each Plan's clean energy supply. I am proud of the tremendous work the Department has done to expedite the approval process and unlock greater savings." 

Participants enrolled in one of the 35 Municipal Aggregation Plans will see $2.36 to $18.60 in monthly savings through July 2026. Residential electric customers enrolled in these Plans will have saved roughly $25 million from December 2024 to July 2026, compared to the basic service rates offered by the investor-owned electric utilities. July 2026 is the latest month for which basic service prices are known; electric utilities procure their supply in six-month periods. Accordingly, whether customers continue to experience savings after July 2026 will not be known until basic service prices are approved for the period of August 2026 through January 2027.    

The DPU's streamlined approach has not only lowered enrolled customers' bills but has equipped more homes and businesses with a higher percentage of clean, renewable energy, by purchasing clean energy. Many of the 35 executed Plans require the purchase of clean energy in amounts that exceed the state's Clean and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards.  

The DPU's current approach has improved regulatory efficiency and includes a commitment to a four-month period to review the Plans and issue an order, with many decisions occurring in less than four months. This approach allows municipalities to stand up their Municipal Aggregation Programs quickly, taking advantage of the energy market to optimize savings for their residents and local businesses. 

To date, the DPU has approved 245 Municipal Aggregation Plans since the approval of the first plan in August 2000: close to 70 percent of the state's municipalities can offer their residents and businesses clean and affordable electricity. 

All municipalities with approved Municipal Aggregation Programs and customers who choose to switch electricity suppliers are advised to be aware of recent scams and stay informed by visiting the DPU's page.  

Background on Municipal Aggregation 

Municipal aggregation was first established in 1997 following the passage of the Electric Industry Restructuring Act. Municipal aggregation, also known as community choice aggregation, allows a municipality to solicit bids for and purchase electricity supply on behalf of its residents and businesses. Massachusetts state law requires municipalities to submit municipal aggregation plans to the DPU for review and approval.  

According to data from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources as of June 2025, 52 percent of residential customers, 37 percent of low-income customers, and 42 percent of small commercial and industrial customers are supplied from municipal aggregation programs. 

Car Fire Briefly Shuts Down Section of North Street

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
04:18PM / Monday, June 22, 2026

The street was briefly shut down. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters responded to a car fire on Eagle Street at about 4 p.m. Monday.

 

The 1986 Chevrolet Camaro was parked next to Persip Park when it "blew up," according to a passerby. Firefighters swiftly put out the engine fire but the northbound lane of North Street was briefly shut down and traffic redirected.

 

The blaze that started in the engine compartment was small but smokey, with smoke visible looking north from Fenn Street. 

 

Fire Capt. Mitchell Keller said there were some flames, describing it as a "well involved car fire." He estimated it took about 10 minutes to put out. 

 

"The initial response was Engine 6, right here, because Engine 3, the closest engine was was on another call because of the close proximity to headquarters," he said, referring to the Columbus Avenue station. "Our deputy car two and truck company responded to make sure that the car was unoccupied and that there was no people requiring aid. And then they waited for the engine to get here to for fire extinguishment.

 

He said the cause was undetermined but not suspicious. No one was injured in the fire and authorities were trying to track down the owner.