(Sept. 6, 2026) – Residents who participate in the Ayer Community Choice Power Supply Program will soon be paying more for the supply services part of their utility bill, according to recent mailings.
In April 2025, the Town of Ayer started its municipal aggregation program, signing an 18-month contract with the First Point Power, a competitive electricity supplier.
The Ayer Community Choice Power Supply Program has given residents and businesses a chance to lower the “supply service” part of their bill by using the vendor and contract the town negotiates through the municipal aggregation program. Residents and businesses had a choice: they could use the service or opt-out and use National Grid’s Basic Service or find another vendor.
The supply service rate does not impact the cost of electricity or other fees on the bill.
In Ayer, residents and small businesses have saved over $466,000 through the town’s municipal aggregation program through March 2026 compared to National Grid Basic Service, according to an announcement (PDF) released by the Office of the Select Board and Town Manager.
Rising Supply Rates
But now, rates are going up. This summer, The Boston Globe reported that National Grid, Eversource and Unitil would all be increasing supply rates as of Aug. 1st.
With its first contract ending, the Town of Ayer recently signed a new two-year contract with First Point Power, which is effective from Oct. 2026 through Oct. 2028.
Ayer residents were recently sent a postcard and/or letter, according to www.colonialpowergroup.com/ayer, which includes information and a link to the town announcement we just mentioned. This includes information for opting in or out and also National Grid’s special assistance programs for income-eligible families.
Under the first contract, residents are currently paying $0.12936 per kWh on the supply side for the standard offering. With the new contract, residents will pay $0.15975 per kWh. The increases will be reflected in Nov. 2026 electricity bills.
With the new standard rate, the average ratepayer with an average monthly usage of 600 kWk will pay $18 more per month, according to the town’s announcement. We did some online research and found this use may correspond with someone who lives in a single-family home or apartment.
When we do the math, $18 more per month is a $216 increase per year. The town’s announcement noted that Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on the rate class. Because of this, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Services rate. The announcement said the goal is to stay lower than the National Grid Basic Service rate over the life of the municipal aggregation program.
Savings Over National Grid’s Basic Service
The Ayer municipal program will offer a $.15975 per kWh rate for its standard service. National Grid Residential Basic Service is $.17185, according to the town’s announcement. If you have an 600 kWk average monthly usage, you would save $7 per month by using Ayer’s municipal aggregation plan versus National Grid Residential Basic Service (for the months of Oct. 2026 through Jan. 2027). That’s $84 per year in savings.
Municipal Aggregation Programs
In Massachusetts, there are 242 approved municipal aggregation programs, according to the state website. Locally, Ayer, Harvard, Shirley, Acton and Westford are on the list. Littleton and Groton both provide municipal electricity and are not on the list.
These programs allow residents to participate and take advantage of a community’s negotiated rates for the “supply services” part of the electrical bill, without having to negotiate or seek out information on your own with a vendor. If you have questions about opting in or out, there is no action for residents who are already enrolled. There is no fee or charges, but you can learn more on this webpage: https://colonialpowergroup.com/ayer/.
We can’t report on the work of trying to find another competitive supplier. But if you do, the State of Massachusetts offers safety tips. First, competitive suppliers are licensed in Massachusetts.
Another point is you should not share your electricity bill or account number with a vendor. You may have your bill ready as you do your research. A vendor may tell you they can do better than what you’re getting and ask to see your bill. But the state’s web page advises you don’t do this and reports there have been cases of Massachusetts residents having competitive suppliers switch their accounts over without their authorization.