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North Kingstown joins regional electricity aggregation; program will be opt‑out with outreach starting in April
Summary
The Town Council approved a resolution to join a seven‑community buying group for a municipal electricity aggregation program that launches power purchases in June 2025, with education and mailed opt‑out notices beginning in April. Presenters said historical program results show expected savings of roughly 5–10% depending on product selection.
The North Kingstown Town Council voted on Feb. 10 to join a regional municipal electricity aggregation program that the Public Utilities Commission has approved, allowing the town to offer residents a set of supplier‑negotiated electricity products on an opt‑out basis.
Representatives from Good Energy and program partners said the plan creates three product choices: a default opt‑out product that adds a modest amount of renewable energy while aiming to save money compared with the utility, a lowest‑cost product with state‑minimum renewable content, and a 100% renewable option. Good Energy representative Patrick Roche said the program is intended to act like a large buyer on behalf of participating communities and to bring competitive supplier offers that many residential customers cannot secure individually.
"The plan has been approved by the Public Utilities Commission," Dawn Oyer said, noting that PUC oversight and contract terms are part of the program’s structure. Rachel, a program manager, described the town's planned outreach: a mailed notification letter to every eligible customer with the program’s pricing and a postcard to opt out; in‑person presentations at community venues and focused outreach to senior centers; and clear instructions that customers may leave the program at any time without penalty.
Presenters and councilors discussed timing and likely savings. Good Energy cited recent program history in the region and said the default product with extra renewable content has produced roughly 5–6% savings historically for participating communities, while the plain‑vanilla, no‑extra‑renewable option has produced higher savings in the 8–10% range; presenters emphasized these are estimates, not guarantees. Reported opt‑out rates from similar programs ranged from roughly 10–15%, presenters said.
Council discussion covered standards for outreach to residents who do not respond to mailed notices, the interaction of the aggregation program with low‑income discounts and budget‑billing (which would remain unchanged), and whether local renewable content could be prioritized in procurement. Councilor Paige moved to adopt the resolution; Councilor McCoy seconded. The roll call was completed and the measure passed unanimously.
Next steps: education and outreach will begin in April, a mailed notification package will go to eligible customers before any enrollment, and staff will work with the supplier to implement the June launch if operationally feasible.
