Post date: May 21, 2020 3:24:22 PM
All of the member towns in the Berkshire Aggregation for electricity are in the process of updating our agreements to include 2 new items. First is the ability to offer an opt-up/opt-in service at a greener level than our standard offering. Locally, we have had some requests for this and know that the joint contracting will allow those who wish access to a greener product a better price and more convenience than if they choose to do that independently. And it is completely voluntary for a user to choose that. Second is a provision for a future supplement to be added to fund an energy manager. This role would be to manage the contract (now loosely handled by staff of some of the larger communities in the group) and to develop energy efficiency programs across the communities. Practically, because the incremental cost is so small, this would only be viable if multiple communities chose to do this in the future.
There are some minor language changes elsewhere that align with current preferences by DPU. This whole process, like the original, requires filing the amended plan with DPU and having their review - so we are likely many months away from this actually being in effect. The changes in language are standard across all member communities and not individualized for specific towns.
In terms of operation, since this is a DPU mandated process - the plan is posted for comment which is being collected and our next meeting we will need to consider proceeding.