By Paul Shorb*
The Lincoln Green Energy Committee (GEC) wants to (1) share good news about current pricing and (2) advise you of proposed changes to the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program.
Pricing news
Good news! Lincoln Green Energy Choice prices are lower than Eversource’s new residential Basic Service price in effect August 1 through January 31, 2027, which is 17.323 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh). The three tiers you can choose from in the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program are 15.409 c/kWh for Lincoln Standard Green (the default option), 16.119 c/kWh for Lincoln 100% Green, and 13.731 c/kWh for Lincoln Basic. For more information, go to LincolnGreenEnergyChoice.com.
(click image to enlarge)
The current program
Lincoln Green Energy Choice, which was instituted by the town in 2021, is a group electricity purchasing program for Lincoln residents and businesses in the town of Lincoln. The program gives electricity customers an alternative to Eversource’s Basic Service and to other electricity supply offers in the marketplace. Participants receive long-term, stable and historically competitive electricity supply prices. Participants are free to change their tier or even leave the program at any time at no charge, and there are no unexpected rate changes.
The program has supported regional renewable energy development by purchasing Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) beyond what is required by state law. We believe this has worked to speed up “greening the grid” and thus reduce the burning of fossil fuels that drives climate change.
Changed circumstances
However, due to changes in federal policy and possible state actions as explained below, the effectiveness of buying extra Class I RECs to help mitigate climate change has become less certain. In short, at least for the next few years, voluntarily buying extra Class 1 RECs is no longer expected to drive more investment in building new renewable energy generation; instead, it will increase “Alternative Compliance Payments” from electric utilities such as Eversource and electricity suppliers. Traditionally, those payments have been used to fund the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, which in turns funds a wide range of good decarbonization projects. However, recently the Governor has twice redirected some of those funds away from climate-benefitting projects and towards ratepayer relief, which could happen again.
In response to these developments, the GEC has proposed that the Select Board consider a different approach to using the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program to reduce our community’s carbon emissions. Specifically, instead of buying extra Class 1 RECs, the program could invest more directly in decarbonization projects in Lincoln and/or elsewhere. Implementing a new approach will require a vote at the March 2027 Town Meeting. Well in advance of that vote, we will invite public comment on a proposal.
The GEC always welcomes community input, including by attending GEC meetings, which are held virtually on select Thursdays at 8:00 AM. Meeting links and agendas can be found on the town website.
Current options for program participants
The Select Board and GEC encourage residents to join, or stay in, the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program. As shown in the graphic above, currently the rates of all three tiers of the program are less expensive than the Eversource basic rate; over the past five years, the program has saved Lincoln ratepayers over $850,000.
For those residents who would like to stop paying for additional Class 1 RECs until the new program structure is in place, Lincoln Basic is the most cost-effective option. You may also choose to leave the program entirely, but at current Eversource rates, doing so would increase your electricity rate. If you do move to Lincoln Basic, we hope you will change back to Lincoln Standard Green or Lincoln 100% Green when the new approach to decarbonization debuts next year.
To learn more about the program, including how to change your level of participation, visit www.masspowerchoice.com/lincoln.
* Shorb is writing on behalf of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee.
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