Select Board hears Colonial Power briefing as ISO New England charge pushes up electric bills; approves low‑income community solar MOU

Colonial Power Group representatives told the Northfield Select Board on Feb. 17 that an unexpected charge from ISO New England has grown substantially since initial estimates, increasing costs for suppliers and customers across the region.

Mark Cappadona said the additional ISO charge was first estimated at $125 million and "has now exceeded $1 billion," which he said will be spread across suppliers in New England. He told the board Franklin County’s share is roughly $580,000, which he described as equivalent to roughly $7 per customer; Cappadona said the average Northfield customer would see about $3.65 in additional charges. He said customers who do not wish to participate can opt out and return to basic service and rejoin later; he said the increase will show in April bills.

The Select Board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding enabling participation in a low‑income Community Shared Solar Tariff Generation program and separately approved an Administrative Service Agreement to implement the program. According to Cappadona and Denise Allard of Colonial Power Group, the multi‑year program is intended to provide discounts to qualifying residents through community‑shared solar credits.

Board members asked about offsets and state support; the presentation noted the governor’s one‑time $25 discount on electricity bills would partially offset the impact for customers. No vote tallies were recorded in the minutes for the MOU and Administrative Service Agreement motions beyond the board’s approval.

What happens next: Colonial Power Group will proceed with program administration under the approved agreements; customers will be notified about the opt‑out option and the expected April billing change.