Why are most Gloucester residents unaffected by the National Grid winter rate increase?
Gloucester residents and businesses enrolled in the Gloucester Community Electricity Aggregation (CEA) Program will not be impacted by the rate increase recently announced by National Grid. Gloucester CEA offers electricity rates that are fixed and will not change through December 2024. The vast majority of Gloucester households already participate in the Gloucester CEA Program.
The current Gloucester CEA rate for the standard product, Gloucester Local Green, is $0.11071 per kilowatt-hour through December 2024.
What is the Gloucester CEA Program?
Gloucester CEA is a program offered by the City of Gloucester to provide residents and businesses with City-vetted options for electricity supply. Gloucester CEA does not replace National Grid, the electric utility in Gloucester, which still continues to deliver electricity, repair outages and manage all billing. Participating customers continue to receive one bill from National Grid.
How do I know if I am enrolled in the Gloucester CEA Program?
Gloucester residents and businesses may confirm that they are enrolled in the Gloucester Community Electricity Aggregation Program by looking at the Supply Services section of their recent National Grid electric bill.
If it says “Supplier: Gloucester CEA – Constellation NewEnergy”, then that account is enrolled. If it says something else, such as “Basic Service Fixed”, or the name of a supplier other than Constellation, then that account is not enrolled.
How do I enroll in the Gloucester CEA Program?
Go to Gloucester-CEA.com, then select ENROLL OR CHANGE. Make sure to have your National Grid bill available to provide account details.
I have never participated in the Program. Can I still join?
Yes, if you are a Residential or Small Business customer, you will receive the same contract rate as shown on the website.
If you are a Large Business customer, the supplier may offer you a market rate that you may choose to either accept or decline.
If you are currently a customer of a competitive supplier, you may be subject to penalties or early termination fees from your supplier if you switch from the competitive supplier to the Program during the term of your existing contract. Be sure to compare your rate and terms of your current agreement before considering enrolling.
I opted out of the Program previously. Can I still join?
Anyone who previously opted out of the Program, can re-join, but is not guaranteed to get one of the original contract rates. The supplier may offer you a market rate that you may choose to either accept or decline.
If you are currently a customer of a competitive supplier, you may be subject to penalties or early termination fees from your supplier if you switch from the competitive supplier to the Program during the term of your existing contract. Be sure to compare your rate and terms of your current agreement before enrolling.
I want to do more to help the environment? What options are available through the Gloucester CEA Program?
Gloucester residents can choose to opt into Gloucester 100% Local Green at $0.14356 per kilowatt-hour, which includes Renewable Energy Certificates (MA Class I RECs) equal to 100% of the user’s electricity consumption, in addition to meeting all MA renewable energy requirements.
Go to Gloucester-CEA.com, then select ENROLL OR CHANGE. Make sure to have your National Grid bill available to provide account details.
How can I save energy?
One way to save money on electricity is to use less energy. Residents can sign up for a no-cost Mass Save home energy assessment through the City’s partner, HomeWorks Energy, at www.HomeWorksEnergy.com/Gloucester. Representatives from HomeWorks Energy will also be canvasing this fall and winter encouraging residents to schedule a no-cost assessment.
A no-cost home energy assessment is a comprehensive review of your home’s performance, including its insulation levels, weatherization, appliances, and more. The assessment pinpoints your home’s inefficiencies so that you can make impactful improvements. You will also be informed of any incentives and rebates you are eligible for. These may include:
• No-cost air sealing & 75-100% off approved insulation
• Up to $15,000 in heat pump rebates
• 0% financing (up to $25,000) for energy efficiency upgrades
• No-cost items like programmable thermostats, water-saving devices, and advanced power strips
Income eligible residents can receive even greater benefits through Action Inc. by going to ActionIncEnergy.org.
Small businesses and landlords of larger apartment buildings (five or more units) can also participate by going to MassSave.com/Gloucester.
How do I avoid scams?
Protect your National Grid account number!
No one associated with Gloucester CEA or HomeWorks Energy will ever proactively call or visit you asking for your National Grid account number or to see a National Grid bill.
If a HomeWorks Energy representative comes to your home, they will only ask for your name and basic contact information in order to schedule a no-cost home energy assessment. They will NEVER ask for your National Grid account number or to see a National Grid bill.