Plymouth Residents Face Steep Rise in Electricity Costs as Town Explores Solutions
Officials discuss potential county-wide aggregation plan and municipal light plant options while residents grapple with delivery charge increases
PLYMOUTH - February 18 - Plymouth residents are experiencing significant increases in their electricity bills, particularly due to rising delivery charges that took effect Jan. 1, prompting town officials to explore various solutions to help reduce costs.
During Tuesday's Select Board meeting, Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Planner Michael Cahill presented an update on the town's municipal aggregation program and explained the components driving higher electricity costs.
"Supply rates are relatively easy to comprehend. It's really just your energy usage times the market rate," Cahill says. "The delivery side is a little bit more difficult to comprehend."
The town's current aggregation rate of 14.813 cents per kilowatt hour runs through October 2025. While this rate is higher than Eversource's basic rate of 13.241 cents per kilowatt hour, Cahill notes the town's plan remains competitive compared to surrounding communities.
"Our aggregation rate is currently 0.3 cents cheaper on average than the surrounding 18 communities," Cahill explains.
For the average Plymouth household using 600 kilowatt hours monthly, the difference between the basic rate and aggregation plan amounts to approximately $9.30 per bill or $113.16 annually.
State Rep. Michelle Badger reports that about 80 legislators recently signed a letter to the Department of Public Utilities requesting a reevaluation of energy prices. The dramatic increase in delivery charges has sparked particular concern.
"People are going to start losing their homes," Badger says. "We've already heard people say that once you don't have to have heat, people's heat is going to be turned off."
Select Board member Charlie Bletzer highlighted the personal impact, noting his recent combined gas and electric bill reached $1,097.
The town is exploring several potential solutions to address rising costs:
1. County-wide Aggregation: Plymouth is working with Plymouth County to potentially join other communities in a larger aggregation plan to increase purchasing power.
2. Municipal Light Plant: The Energy Committee continues investigating the possibility of Plymouth establishing its own municipal light plant, though this represents a longer-term solution.
3. Energy Efficiency Programs: The town offers assistance for income-eligible residents to receive free weatherization, heat pumps, and energy efficiency systems through Eversource.
Everett Malaguti, Vice Chair of the Energy Committee, notes that becoming a municipal light plant could allow Plymouth to recoup fees currently paid to the Energy Efficiency Fund and create its own efficiency program.
"Those we could use to either use as a third party or use as ourselves to create our own efficiency program, which could actually be a lot more incentivizing for reducing costs for energy efficiency improvements than what MassSave does currently," Malaguti says.
In other business, the Select Board:
- Approved a memorial bench application for former Judge George A. White to be placed on Water Street
- Authorized moving forward with eminent domain proceedings for the Full Sail property acquisition
- Received an update on the Jenney Pond footbridge project, with footings now poured
- Heard plans for a comprehensive park management plan addressing overcrowding at town ponds and beaches
Residents seeking assistance with energy costs can visit the Plymouth Department of Energy and Environment for information about weatherization resources and other available programs to help reduce electricity bills.
The town's current aggregation contract expires in October 2025, at which point officials will negotiate new rates. While future electricity costs remain uncertain, Cahill emphasizes that residents can opt in or out of the town's aggregation program at any time without penalty.