Above: I’m sharing a state announcement to all electric and gas delivery ratepayers, plus reminders about the Town’ electricity supply program. (images cropped from letter and Power Choice website)
Today, I found an announcement on the Town’s website that I missed earlier this month. The state asked the town to advertise its invitation to the public for comments on Gas and Electric Delivery Charges.
The focus on delivery charges means that even customers using an alternative supplier may have complaints about their National Grid bills they want to share.
While I’m sharing that news, I’m reminding readers unhappy with their electric bills about a Town program meant to help save costs on the supply side.
And I’m highlighting (for Earth Day week), that some Town plan users may want to upgrade to a greener choice.
For the supply side — the charge on the second page of your National Grid bill — many homeowners and businesses in town are probably already signed up with the Southborough Community Power Choice plan. But I’m promoting the opportunity for anyone that opted out and now regrets it. Scroll down for those details.
As for the state’s announcement — that is focused on gas bills and the first page of electric bills (under “Delivery Services”). These utility charges aren’t about the costs of fuel or generating power.
The announcement opens:
On December 15, 2025, the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) voted to open an investigation to conduct a comprehensive review of gas and electric delivery rates and charges with the aims of containing customer costs, reducing utility bill volatility, and increasing utility bill transparency and accessibility. . .
This investigation will explore ways to contain energy costs that fall under the Department’s jurisdiction. As part of the investigation, the Department will evaluate all current delivery charges to consider what improvements can be made.
The letter invites:
members of the public to submit written comments on the questions contained in the Order and their experience with gas and electric delivery rates, by 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2026. All documents should be submitted to the Department in .pdf format by email attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and DPU25200.Investigation@mass.gov. The text of the email must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 25-200);
(2) the name of the person or entity submitting the filing; and (3) indicate that the document is a written comment.
The questions referred to are laid out in five objectives related to “reconciling mechanisms”, net metering credits, and potential “maximum threshold” for month over month charge increases.
It sounds like the state is focused mainly on costs related to administration (rather than transmission, infrastructure, maintenance, etc.). You can read the full details here.
Southborough Community Power Choice power supply plan
Since early 2018, Southborough residents and businesses have been able to leverage bulk buying power for lower electricity supply rates.
Any electricity customer who isn’t currently stuck in a commitment with another supplier is eligible to enroll. The municipal aggregate program allows the town to lock in a hopefully low, fixed rate for a lengthy period.
The current Power Choice rates are fixed until December 2026:
- Standard option – 13.016 ¢/kWh (Lowest price option)
- Greener option – 13.886 ¢/kWh (50% from regional renewable sources)
- Greenest option– 15.886 ¢/kWh (100% from regional renewable sources)
For contrast, I checked National Grid’s recent rates. Looking back, the first two of the SCPC options were both cheaper than both National Grid’s fixed rate and the lowest of the utility’s variable prices.
That means, you could feel good by locking in the greener option and still save money. (Current users could also upgrade their plans.)
One caveat: Once you sign up, it will take two bill cycles before you see the supply change on your electric bill.
To learn more about Power Choice, or to sign up, click here.
