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Electricity Program - Hampshire Power
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ELECTRICITY PROGRAM
What is HAMPSHIRE POWER?
Hampshire Power is the electricity program of the Hampshire Council of Governments, with long-term goals to help bring Western Massachusetts more affordable and sustainable energy. Today we are saving money on electricity bills for towns, schools, businesses, and not-for-profits in Western Massachusetts. We are controlled by local people chosen at local town elections. We are licensed by the state of Massachusetts to buy and sell electricity on the wholesale markets and to sell to retail customers. (License CS-040) We bring to our customers the benefits of buying wholesale. Our profits stay here to work for the good of our region.
What RATE PLANS does Hampshire Power offer?
Because Hampshire Power is different from private, for-profit suppliers, our rate plans are substantially different, too.
• PROFIT-SHARING: Each month, customers pay the same rate they would pay if they were on the utility’s “basic” rate. We buy at wholesale, manage our costs to make a profit, and share it 50/50 with customers on this plan. You cannot lose: you will not pay more than if you stayed with the utility; if we make a profit, we share it with you.
• REAL-TIME: Customers who are willing to accept some risk and manage their energy use may save substantially more by paying the hourly market price for electricity, plus a small added fee to cover our costs.
• CUSTOM: We will help large commercial and industrial customers develop individualized plans to reduce costs and hedge risk.
Is there a charge for SWITCHING SUPPLIERS?
Neither Northeast Utilities nor National Grid charges a fee. If you have a contract with another supplier, check your contract terms and conditions. Most contracts are binding for a fixed term; some allow customers to end the contract at any time with no penalty.
What will happen to my SERVICE FROM THE UTILITY?
Nothing. Your current electric utility will still maintain the wires, get the electricity to you, and read your meter.
Why does Hampshire Power collect a DEPOSIT?
By requiring deposits, we are protecting your share of the profit. If a customer is late in paying, we can use the deposit to pay their bill. Deposits are held in a bank escrow account in the customer’s name.
How will I be BILLED?
Your utility will still send you a bill every month. If you choose the Profit Sharing plan, our charges will be included on the same bill, and the utility will send us our share. Other customers will receive a separate bill from Hampshire Power. It will include a simple consolidated summary, plus digital data on use and price for each hour of the month to help you analyze and manage your electricity demand.
How can I help protect the ENVIRONMENT with Hampshire Power?
The greenest power is the power you do NOT use. The real cost of electricity changes every hour. The dirtiest power is also the most expensive power. By choosing a real time rate, you receive a direct cost benefit when you reduce the amount of power you use in those most expensive and polluting hours.Hampshire Power is WORKING TODAY,
saving money for towns, schools, businesses, and not-for-profits in Western Massachusetts.
Today is the first step toward tomorrow’s goals:
1. Lower energy prices for everyone in the region who wants them.
2. Tools to help people reduce the amount of electricity they use – especially during “peak demand” times when electricity is most expensive and most polluting.
3. Joint projects with other energy groups in the region that make our power greener and more sustainable.
For more information call or email Geoffrey Rogers at 413-584-1300 x153; grogers@hampshirecog.org.
