Cambridge Residents and Businesses Can Save Money and Receive 100% Renewable Electricity


12/5/2017 • 7 years ago

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Man standing next to solar array in Cambridge

Over 500 Cambridge residents and businesses now receive 100% renewable electricity through the Cambridge Community Electricity program’s 100% Green option. By opting into 100% Green, these households and businesses are powered by carbon-free renewable energy, including solar and wind, generated locally in New England. 

Following the November release of Eversource’s Basic Service rates, residents and businesses enrolled in the 100% Green Option will save money and receive 100% renewable electricity. Eversource’s Basic Service, in effect through June 2018, costs 13.157 cents/kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) compared to the 100% Green Option’s 12.180 c/kWh. 

Currently, over 32,800 residential electricity customers and more than 4,800 commercial electricity customers are participating in the Cambridge Community Electricity program. Those enrolled in the Standard Green option, which provides more solar energy from local resources than required by the state of Massachusetts, are also saving money, with rates at 10.486 cents/kWh. Participants can switch from Standard Green to 100% Green or opt-out of the program at any time with no penalties.

“We are proud to offer a program that has allowed people to support the city’s climate goals without negative impacts on their personal finances,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “Standard Green participants have seen savings since July 2017, and now residents and businesses have the opportunity to upgrade to receive 100% renewable energy and still save money through next June.” 

The electricity supplied through the 100% Green option is generated by renewable energy projects in New England. Through 100% Green, Cambridge residents and business owners support New England-based jobs in addition to reducing the environmental impact of their electricity use. Cambridge residents and business owners can opt-in to the 100% Green Option through January 2019 by calling the Cambridge Community Electricity program supplier, Agera Energy, at 1-888-589-7790.  

“The 100% Green option offers a unique opportunity for Cambridge residents and business owners to use renewable energy and support the local economy,” said Assistant City Manager for Community Development Iram Farooq. “The Cambridge Community Electricity program is a crucial step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century and ensuring a Net Zero Energy future for Cambridge.” 

The Cambridge Community Electricity program launched in July 2017. As a municipal electricity aggregation approved by the state, it uses the bulk purchasing power of the entire community to negotiate a price and increase the amount of renewable energy in the City’s electricity supply. The program provides an alternative to Eversource Basic Service and other electricity supply offers in the marketplace. The City has signed a contract with Agera Energy that runs until January 2019. 

Updated energy mix information is now available for the Cambridge Community Electricity program. This document shows how the electricity was generated and provides detail on how much of that energy comes from renewable vs non-renewable sources.

Additional information about the program and its enrollment options are available at www.masspowerchoice.com/cambridge. Residents and business owners can also contact the City’s program consultants at 1-844-379-9934 or cambridge@masspowerchoice.com.