By Mike Gleason
Daily News Staff
Posted Jul 14, 2017 at 8:16 PMUpdated Jul 14, 2017 at 8:16 PM
MEDWAY – The town has sought state approval for a plan that could help local residents save money on energy bills.
Medway’s municipal aggregation plan was reviewed by the state Department of Public Utilities at a hearing Thursday afternoon. Municipal aggregation looks to save townspeople money by bidding out for energy suppliers, hoping to get a rate lower than the utility company’s default rate. Aggregation plans can also include “green” components, using energy from sustainable sources.
Assistant Town Administrator Allison Potter said the town’s energy consultants, the Marlborough-based Colonial Power Group, had been present at the hearing.
“We received an update (from them) yesterday, and they said everything went really well,” she said.
According to Potter, the department will likely send the town follow-up questions, which it would have to answer before a decision is issued. She said it would likely take until October for the department to give its final say.
If the town does receive a favorable decision, Potter said, it could then go out to bid for energy suppliers. She noted that it was possible that the bid rates would not provide savings over the default rate, but added that the town could simply try again at a later date. She cited the example of nearby Franklin, which went out to bid, did not receive bids to its liking and continued with the default rate for the time being.
“I would hope we get competitive bids that save people money,” she said.
Should the town select a bid, local residents would automatically be enrolled in the program. Participation, Town Administrator Michael Boynton said, is entirely voluntary, however – those who do not wish to take part may opt out.
“It’s a personal preference and financial decision,” he said.
Local citizens authorized the town to enter into municipal aggregation agreements at its May 2016 Annual Town Meeting.
Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow him on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.