Massachusetts DPU Chair: 70 Additional Communities Expected to Launch Municipal Aggregation in Next Two Years

Over 70 additional Massachusetts communities are expected to seek approval for opt-out municipal aggregations over the next two years, Ann Berwick, Chair of the Massachusetts DPU, told the Retail Energy Supply Association's Energy Competition Symposium.

Berwick reported that, to date, the DPU has approved six municipal aggregations, covering 27 communities.

Berwick said that within two years, over 70 "additional" communities are expected to seek approval for municipal aggregation plans.

It was unclear if Berwick's total of 70 included the approximately 40-community Hampshire Council of Governments' aggregation, which has previously applied for DPU approval of an opt-out aggregation, but which withdrew the aggregation plan without prejudice this August, citing recent regulatory updates and concerns.

Berwick said that municipal aggregation has the potential to "crack open the competitive supply market for smaller customers."