Mayor announces Malden Community Electricity program

Advocate Staff Report

  Mayor Gary Christenson announced the creation of Malden Community Electricity, a program that will allow the City of Malden to use the combined purchasing power of all its residents to secure new electricity supply rates and more renewable energy.

  Malden Community Electricity is an alternative to National Grid’s default supply. While National Grid can only go out to bid twice a year, Malden Community Electricity has more flexibility to get more competitive rates. Energy will still be delivered by National Grid, but residents get the potential benefits of a lower cost because of the City program. Additionally, the City will increase the amount of renewable energy used in the standard plan for Malden Community Electricity customers.

  “Malden Community Electricity will be a great for our residents and for the planet,” said Mayor Christenson. “Malden is glad to be joining many communities around Massachusetts in seizing this opportunity, which will give our community more control over our electricity rates and increase our use of renewable energy.”

  Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald is chair of the City Council’s ad hoc Energy Efficiency Committee and a member of Malden’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Commission. He stated, “I am proud to see Malden Community Electricity moving forward. This program will provide a great service to residents, while supporting our community’s desire to be more sustainable and resilient.”

  Malden expects to submit its plan to state regulators before the end of the year. Ultimately the timeline for the program to start will be determined by when the Commonwealth approves the plan, which is expected to be in 2023.

  The draft plan for Malden Community Electricity is available for public review and comments through November 18. Residents are encouraged to provide comments and feedback. To learn more about this program, and to share comments, please visit www.maldencommunityelectricity.com or find a copy of the plan in the Public Facilities Office at Malden City Hall (215 Pleasant St., Room 530). Please direct any questions to the Public Facilities Office at 781-397-7032.

  The City of Malden will hold a public hearing on the Malden Community Electricity Plan on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 6 p.m. Residents may participate in person at Malden City Hall (215 Pleasant St., Room #105) or remotely on Zoom by using the link at www.maldencommunityelectricity.com.

  Malden Community Electricity will be a municipal aggregation program, authorized under M.G.L. c. 164 section 134.