Community Choice Power Supply Program

MAILER SENT TO PARTICIPANTS BEING ENROLLED: ENROLLMENT MAILER (PDF)

The Town of Blackstone is pleased to announce that it’s launching its Community Choice Power Supply Program this spring to provide an energy program that is stable, affordable and incorporates additional renewable energy. Blackstone signed an 18-month contract with First Point Power.

Beginning with the April 2025 meter reads, Blackstone’s Program will offer two products with varying amounts of renewable energy content. “We are pleased to implement an energy program that will not only provide the opportunity for price savings, but also offers an affordable 100% renewable energy option,” said Chad Lovett, Blackstone Town Administrator.

*National Grid’s Residential Basic Service meets MA renewable energy requirements and is in effect from 

February 1-July 31, 2025. Assuming usage of 600-kilowatt hours of electricity per month, residents can expect to see an average savings for that period.

The Blackstone Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program which, according to Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134), enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with an alternative electricity supply. Approximately 190 Massachusetts communities, to date, have chosen to develop community choice electricity programs to benefit their residents and small business owners.

Residents will not notice any change in their electricity service. The only discernible difference will be that First Point Power will be printed under “Supply Services” on National Grid’s monthly bills starting in May 2025. Residents and small business owners will continue to receive one bill from National Grid and to send payments to National Grid for processing. There will be no interruption in billing, power, or customer service.

No action is required by ratepayers to participate in this cost-saving program. The Program will be operated on an opt-out basis, meaning that all Blackstone residential and business customers currently on National Grid’s Basic Service will be automatically enrolled into the Program unless they choose to opt-out.

There are no enrollment, early termination, or cancellation fees attached to the Blackstone electricity program. Residents who choose to opt-out can also opt-in at a later date if they so choose at no cost. 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 National Grid’s Basic Service. However, future savings cannot be guaranteed.

Residents or business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid to request that the block be removed if they want to participate in Blackstone’s electricity program.

National Grid has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs. 

Information sessions to answer questions about Blackstone’s Community Choice Power Supply Program will be held by the Town and representatives of Colonial Power Group with times and dates to be announced soon.

Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/blackstone or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Blackstone’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change your product selection.