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Brockton committee approves development of municipal electricity aggregation plan
Summary
The finance committee authorized the mayor to pursue municipal aggregation, an opt‑out electricity program to negotiate default supply for National Grid customers. Good Energy outlined the DPU process, outreach requirements and opt‑out mechanics; council approved forwarding the proposal for implementation steps.
The Brockton finance committee voted to authorize the mayor to develop a municipal aggregation plan after hearing from Good Energy, the consultant proposing a city‑run, opt‑out electricity procurement program.
Good Energy representatives explained how municipal aggregation works in Massachusetts — the city would become the default supplier for National Grid basic‑service customers unless residents choose to opt out. The firm described a 30‑day multilingual notification and education period, supplier bidding, and optional green supply products. Philadelphia‑style vendor examples and results from nearby municipal programs were cited: "Our goal is to protect you and provide budget stability," one Good Energy representative said, contrasting the program’s relatively stable multi‑year supply pricing with volatile utility basic‑service spikes.
Councilors pressed the firm on opt‑out mechanics (how residents receive notice and how they leave or re‑enter the program), treatment of net‑metered solar customers (utility crediting unchanged), term lengths offered by suppliers (two to four years are commonly presented at bid), and whether Brockton could run its own bid or join a regional buying group. Consultants said Brockton is large enough to bid on its own but could co‑term with a regional south‑coast aggregation if council chooses.
The committee voted to recommend the mayor proceed with plan development, vendor selection and DPU filing. Members asked that the administration include elected representatives and staff on a procurement/oversight team and to post the outreach plan publicly before finalizing bids.
