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With Melrose Community Power, Most Melrosians Unaffected by National Grid Winter Rate Hike

Since the MCP contract went into effect in November 2021, Melrose residents and businesses have saved $7,469,895 overall or $846 on average per account compared to National Grid’s default option called Basic Service.
Posted on: October 20, 2023 - 9:00am
With Melrose Community Power, Most Melrosians Unaffected by National Grid Winter Rate Hike

Melrose residents and businesses enrolled in Melrose Community Power (MCP) will not be impacted by the rate hike recently announced by National Grid. The City of Melrose, which is under contract with electricity supplier NextEra Energy Services through November 2024, offers electricity supply rates that are fixed and will not change for one more year. About 90% of Melrose households participate in the MCP program.

As widely reported last month, National Grid announced that as of November 1, 2023, the default residential Basic Service Fixed supply rate will be 18.2 cents/kWh, which is significantly higher than the standard Melrose Local Green supply rate of 11.5 cents/kWh. National Grid’s rates change twice a year for residential and small business customers, but Melrose Community Power rates are fixed for the duration of the City contract, which expires in November 2024.

“I encourage all small business owners, renters, and homeowners to consider Melrose Community Power as their electricity supplier,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “The MCP program can empower residents and small business owners to save money this winter and choose a greener future for our community.”

Melrose residents can confirm that they are enrolled in Melrose Community Power by looking at the Supply Services Section of a recent National Grid electric bill. If it says “Supplier: NEXTERA ENERGY SRVCS MA-MELROSE AGG”, then that account is enrolled. If it says something else such as Basic Service Fixed or names a supplier other than NEXTERA then that account is not enrolled.

Melrose Community Power offers Three (3) Contract Rate Options:

  • Melrose Basic — 11.172 cents/kWh
  • Melrose Local Green — 11.537 cents/kWh
  • Melrose Local Green 100% — 14.822 cents/kWh

Melrose Local Green, the standard rate option, has 10% more renewable energy than what the state requires. Melrose Local Green is 100% renewable.

How to Enroll in MCP:

  • Enroll in Melrose Community Power or switch rate options at any time online at https://mcp.cityofmelrose.org/ or by calling the city supplier NextEra Energy Services at 855-639-8058. It can take one or two billing cycles for the supplier change to appear on the National Grid bill.

Any resident concerned about winter heating bills for gas, oil, or electric heat can contact the local ABCD Home Energy Assistance Program at 781-322-6284 to check eligibility for heating fuel assistance.

Please note that because National Grid Basic Service rates are not known past August 2024 for residential and small business customers, future savings for the Melrose Community Power program cannot be guaranteed.

Questions About MCP?

Contact Melrose Sustainability Manager Martha Grover at 781-979-4195 or mgrover@cityofmelrose.org with any questions.