Boston Climate Action Network

Jon Chesto, one of the Boston Globe’s business writers, has been covering the news about Boston’s process of deciding to implement a municipal electricity aggregation program, what we call Community Choice Energy or CCE. Chesto’s most recent article, published on Sept. 3, failed to mention the reason that Boston is moving forward with CCE: this is the most cost-effective and equitable way to reduce our residential contribution to global climate change.

Extreme heat is one of the ways that Bostonians are most impacted by climate change. We’ve had 21 days of extreme heat — 90 degrees or greater — this summer, and it’s not over yet. Climate Ready Boston’s 2016 Climate Projections Consensus report notes that that average between 1971 and 2000 was 11 days. The pace of climate change keeps speeding up, such that we may have 90 days of extreme heat by 2070.

The people who suffer most from extreme heat are those who can’t afford air conditioning, those who work or live outside, and those who are medically vulnerable. As a matter of climate justice, we must switch to renewable electricity as soon as possible. Making that switch as a whole city makes the transition to renewable energy affordable. This is why CCE is so important.

Chesto’s article also included a statement of concern by a consumer advocate cautioning, “Boston ratepayers should make sure they read the fine print when they receive mailings regarding the city’s electricity-buying program. If they don’t do anything, they would automatically be enrolled in the new program.”This warning makes it sound as if consumers should be wary about Community Choice Energy, and it ignores the fact that Eversource basic supply is also an opt-out program. When you move into a new apartment and want to have electricity, you automatically receive an Eversource account. You may opt out of basic supply by choosing a competitive supplier, but if you don’t, you will be automatically enrolled as an Eversource customer.

Boston’s program will be equally simple: you may opt out if you want, but if you don’t actively chose a different supplier, then the Boston program will be your default. Also, just as with Eversource basic supply, consumers will be able to leave the Boston program at any time — without any cancellation fee. Switching back to Eversource basic supply will be very simple, unlike canceling a contract with a competitive supplier.

Boston’s electricity supply program will not change how Eversource bills us. We’ll still get our bills from Eversource; only the name of the supplier and the rate will be different. Boston’s size should make it able to negotiate rates that are comparable to Eversource’s. According to researchers at Tufts University, eight other towns in eastern Mass. have already implemented programs like the one Boston plans to implement, with 5% additional regionally sourced renewable energy. In the first half of 2018, these towns averaged 16% lower supply costs than Eversource basic.

No one can predict accurately what electricity rates Boston will be able to negotiate when it gets permission from the Department of Public Utilities to request bids on an electricity supply contract. Likely in some six-month periods Eversource will be able to underbid Boston, and in other periods Boston will underbid Eversource. But over the life of that contract, we are very likely to be able to buy at least 5% more green electricity at a comparable rate to Eversource’s dirtier mix. Other towns have succeeded and so can Boston!