Important Update (02-09-2026): Rate Increase Notification

As the result of a regulatory event, the Town of Gill’s current aggregation rates will increase effective with the March 2026 meter reads. The new rates will be in effect for the remainder of the term, ending November 2028.

Program Product	Current Rate	Increase	New Rate	Renewable Energy Content
Standard (default)	$0.13852 per kWh	$0.01160 per kWh	$0.15012 per kWh	25% MA Class I RECs above minimum state requirements
Optional Green 100	$0.15452 per kWh	$0.01160 per kWh	$0.16612 per kWh	100% MA Class I RECs
Optional Green 5	$0.13132 per kWh	$0.01160 per kWh	$0.14292 per kWh	5% MA Class I RECs above minimum state requirements

For comparison purposes, Eversource’s Basic Service rates are fixed from February 1 through July 31, 2026 -- Residential at $0.13683 per kWh and Small Commercial & Industrial at $0.13634 per kWh.

WHAT IS A REGULATORY EVENT AND HOW CAN IT RESULT IN A RATE ADJUSTMENT? A regulatory event is an action taken or change enacted by a regulatory authority that results in a direct, material increase or decrease in costs during the term of an electric power supply contract.

• ISO-NE Day-Ahead Ancillary Services Initiative (DASI or DAAS) – DASI introduces a co-optimized day-ahead market that simultaneously considers energy and ancillary services, replacing the previous Forward Reserve Market. This approach ensures that resources providing essential services like operating reserves are adequately compensated and obligated to perform when needed, thereby improving system reliability. By implementing DASI, ISO-NE aims to provide targeted compensation and establish clear financial obligations and incentives for flexible resources, which are crucial for maintaining grid reliability amid the increasing integration of renewable energy sources. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved DASI, recognizing that it would significantly improve operating reserve resource readiness, efficiency, and day-ahead price formation in ISO-NE. [See https://www.iso-ne.com/participate/support/participant-readiness-outlook/day-ahead-ancillary-services-initiative.]

• In other words, DASI lessens the need for fast start generation assets and diminishes loads settled on the real time market over time. This new market structure operates on the day-ahead market, so costs are more variable. Most notably, DASI includes a new component to the ancillary market. This new component was designed to bridge the gap between supplier bids and expected demand. This cost is set on the real-time market, which means increased costs for consumers during times of uncertainty (e.g. heat wave, cold snap).

• This regulatory event results in an increase in the Town’s aggregation rates (effective with the March 2026 meter reads) pursuant to a provision in the Electric Service Agreement (ESA).

WHY IS THE AGGREGATION RATE CHANGING IF THE TOWN SIGNED A FIXED PRICE CONTRACT? DASI was implemented in March 2025 and, given the newness of the program, costs were unhedgeable and had to be estimated based on guidance from ISO-NE.

• Original Projections vs Actual Costs – The Cost Impact Analysis that ISO-NE filed with FERC estimated DASI costs at $120 to $150 million/year or $1 to $1.25/MWh which were approved as just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. However, actual costs have far exceeded initial expectations with December 2025 coming in at ~$17/MWh and January 2026 at ~$48/MWh. The recent cold snap complicated matters further and resulted in two years of expected costs being incurred in only two days – January 26 and January 27.
• Per the ESA, the Town’s aggregation rates included a cost estimate of $6/MWh (or $0.006/kWh) for DASI, which was more than sufficient at the time given ISO-NE’s projections, with a fully reconcilable provision once actual costs were known. This rate adjustment is a direct result of the pass-through costs that far exceeded initial estimates.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE RATE ADJUSTMENT? Given average usage of 600 kWh per month, the Town’s new aggregation rates represent an increase of $6.96 per month versus the current rates.

All electricity suppliers operating in Massachusetts, including Eversource, are subject to the new market structure and the associated increase in cost (i.e. all ratepayers will be impacted). Winter Basic Service rates (effective August 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027) are expected to be elevated as a result of DASI.

The Town launched its electricity program in August 2020. From inception through September 2025, the program has saved residents and small businesses over $335,000 in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service. Further, the 16 municipalities participating in the larger Franklin County aggregation have collectively saved residents and small businesses over $12.4 million in electricity costs as compared to National Grid and Eversource Basic Service.

For questions about the Town’s rate adjustment or your options, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/gill or call Colonial Power Group at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1. You may OPT-OUT or OPT-IN at any time in the future with NO CHARGE.

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GILL ANNOUNCES NEW ENERGY SUPPLIER AND LONG-TERM RATES

The Town of Gill has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power. Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program, designed to meet the specific needs of the Town’s electricity ratepayers, will continue to offer the same options but at new rates:

• A standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 69.1% plus an additional 25% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at a rate of $0.13852 per kWh.
• An optional product that uses 100% Massachusetts Class I RECs at a rate of $0.15452 per kWh.
• A second optional product that meets MA Req plus uses an additional 5% Massachusetts Class I RECs at a rate of $0.13132 per kWh.

For Gill residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's standard product, the current rate of $0.15136 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.13852 will take effect with the January 2026 meter reads. This represents a decrease of $8 per month on the supply side of the bill given average use of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is 3 percent higher than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates will change on February 1, 2026.

Gill launched its electricity program in August 2020 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $352,000 in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.

It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the “Supplier Services” section of their monthly bill.

The Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.

The Eversource Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate will not always be higher than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against Eversource Basic Service. However, future savings cannot be guaranteed.

Eversource has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit eversource.com/content/residential/
account-billing/payment-assistance/discount-rate. You can be enrolled in Gill's Community Choice Power Supply Program and still be eligible for Eversource's financial assistance programs. In addition, if you have a heat pump, you will continue to receive the Eversource heat pump discount.

Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/gill or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Gill’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change product selection.

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JANUARY 2024 RATE INCREASE NOTIFICATION

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Town of Gill is announcing the new rates and term for its Community Choice Power Supply Program through its current electricity supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. The Town’s new aggregation rates are fixed for all rate classes for 24 months as follows:

Program Product	Term	New Rate* (Supply Only)	Renewable Energy Content
Standard (default)	January 2024 to January 2026	$0.15136 per kWh*	25% MA Class I RECs above minimum state requirements
Optional Green 100	January 2024 to January 2026	$0.18092 per kWh*	100% MA Class I RECs
Optional Green 5	January 2024 to January 2026	$0.14354 per kWh*	5% MA Class I RECs above minimum state requirements

*Rates apply to service beginning and ending on the days of the month that your meter is read in your service area. This date varies by account.

For comparison purposes, Eversource’s Residential Basic Service rate is fixed at $0.15845 per kWh from January 1, 2024 through July 31, 2024. Normally, the term would be through June 2024 but this is a transition term. In September, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an Order instructing Eversource to change its Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January [mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates]. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices.

It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. All accounts currently enrolled in the Town’s Program will continue to see Dynegy printed under the “Supplier Services” section of their monthly bill. This rate change will be seen on the February 2024 bills. Consumers with questions about the Program should call Colonial Power Group, the Town’s aggregation consultant, at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

For more detailed information about the Town’s Program, including how to OPT-OUT or OPT-IN, to change your current product selection, or to access Eversource’s Basic Service rates, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/gill or call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696. You may OPT-OUT or OPT-IN at any time in the future with NO CHARGE.

Eversource’s Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the Program’s aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the Program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

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INITIAL CONSUMER NOTIFICATION from June 2020

The Consumer Notification for Gill’s Community Choice Power Supply Program has been mailed. It is in a standard, letter-sized white envelope labeled “Official Town Business” and bearing the Gill Town Seal. This is important correspondence regarding electricity rates and electricity supply, and should not be discarded as junk mail. Most Gill residents and businesses have received or will receive the mailing during the week of June 22nd.

A generic (no names, no account numbers) version of the Consumer Notification can be viewed here: Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program Consumer Notification mailer.pdf

The Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program will offer three distinct plans from which ratepayers may choose for the source of their electricity. The standard plan will include Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 28% plus an additional 25% Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), adding to the amount of renewable energy created in the state.

There are two optional plans: a “Green 100” product composed of 100% renewable energy from Massachusetts Class I Recs, and a “Green 5” product composed of the Massachusetts RPS plus an additional 5% Massachusetts Class I RECs.

Residents and business owners currently on Eversource’s Basic Service rate plan will be automatically enrolled in Gill’s standard program unless they choose to “opt-out.” The opt-out response card and return envelope can be found in the same envelope as the Consumer Notification.

Ratepayers wishing to participate in either of the two optional plans offered by the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program must “opt-in” by requesting that they be enrolled in the program of their choice.

Gill joined 12 other area towns (Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Huntington, New Salem, Northfield, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, and Whately) in a contract with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services to bring affordable, environmentally aware, and locally controlled electricity programs to the region. The consortium of communities signed a 41-month agreement which will collectively save Gill ratepayers more than $41,000 in electricity costs during the contract term.

The program is scheduled to begin in August 2020, with pricing changes and use of additional renewable energy reflected in September 2020 bills.

There are no early termination or cancellation fees attached to the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program. Participants may leave, or opt-out of, the program whenever they choose, with no financial penalty. If you have a supplier block on your electricity account, you must contact Eversource to request that the block be removed if you would like to enroll in Gill’s electricity program.

Any ratepayer switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers with third-party supply contracts should verify terms before switching.

There will be no noticeable change in service and no interruption in billing or power. Dynegy Energy Services, the selected electricity supplier for Gill’s Community Choice Program, will be printed under the “Supplier Services” title on Eversource bills. Gill ratepayers will continue to receive one bill from Eversource and Eversource will process all payments.

Eversource Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on the rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate in the Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the multi-town aggregation is to provide ratepayers with more options in the purchase of renewable energy and to deliver savings over the life of the program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

To learn more about Gill’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, visit www.colonialpowergroup.com/gill or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Gill Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program. According to Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134), municipal aggregation enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with an alternative electricity supply. Once in place, the local government can monitor and set its own energy related goals for the program such as savings, stability or green options. Consumers are no longer “stuck” with the cost and fluctuation of the utility’s Basic Service rates because the program offers them another option.

The Town has partnered with Colonial Power Group to implement our Program. To learn more about the Program, and to view important notices and Opt In and Opt Out choices, please visit the web page for the Program: GILL COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER SUPPLY PROGRAM.

This Program only affects the supply portion of your monthly bill. It will not affect the delivery portion. Eversource will continue to deliver your electricity but Gill, using a competitive bid process, has chosen Dynegy Energy Services, of Dallas,Texas, as the supplier for its Program.

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The Town of Gill's Aggregation Plan is available in the Files section below. The Mass. Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Hearing Notice, docket 18-139, for the Town's municipal aggregation plan is also in the Files section.