Swampscott Goes Green With Community Power Initiative

SWAMPSCOTT, MA —A program designed to shift Swampscott residents to renewable energy sources will require an "opt-out" to withdraw from participation.

The town said all residents will soon receive a letter explaining the Swampscott Community Power program. Under the terms of the program, National Grid will remain the town's primary power company but those who don't unenroll will receive 100 percent renewable energy from solar, wind and other "green" sources, beyond state minimum requirements.

Opt-out requests must be postmarked by March 5, 2022, to avoid automatic enrollment in Swampscott Community Power.

Those who enroll in the program will have rates fixed through November 2024. Those who do not will be subject to price fluctuations in regular National Grid rate changes.

Because future National Grid prices are not known, Swampscott CommunityPower cannot guarantee savings when compared with National Grid's basic service price.

The town has an agreement with NextEra Energy Services to provide 100 percent renewable energy, including at least 15 percent from New England sources. Those who participate in the program will see on their bill that NextEra Energy Services will be their supplier and the Swampscott Community Power price will be used to calculate supplier charges.

Residents will continue to receive their electricity bills from National Grid. They will continue to call National Grid if your power goes out. Those on a budget plan or are eligible for a low-income rate or fuel assistance, will continue to receive those benefits.

Anyone who has signed a separate energy contract must "opt-out" of the new program or will be charged under the Swampscott Community Power guidelines.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)