Pittsfield Announces New Energy Program Rates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. 
 
The Pittsfield Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 62.3 percent at a rate of $0.13849 per kWh. It will also continue to offer an optional product that uses 100 percent Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates at a rate of $0.16729 per kWh.
 
For Pittsfield residents and businesses who are enrolled in the City's standard product, the current rate of $0.09603 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.13849 per kWh will take effect with the January 2024 meter reads. This represents an increase of $25 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is 13 percent lower than Eversource's recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.15845 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $12 per month for the months of January 2024 through July 2024.
 
Normally, the term would be through June 2024 but this is a transition term. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an Order on September 1, 2023 that requires Eversource change its residential and small business Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices and differences across electric distribution companies. [See mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates.]
 
"Although the Program rate is increasing due to market conditions, we are pleased that it will still offer savings over the Basic Service price offered. In addition, the new rate will be locked in for the term of the contract and will provide stability thereby insulating ratepayers from market fluctuations," said Mayor Linda Tyer.
 
Pittsfield launched its electricity program in January 2018 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through June 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $16.6 million in electricity costs as compared to Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product selection and see the new rate under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill. This change will be seen on the February 2024 bills.
 
The Pittsfield Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Eversource customers who meet certain means criteria can qualify to receive a discount on their electric bills. To learn more, please visit eversource.com/content/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance/discount-rate.
 
Residents may also visit http://colonialpowergroup.com/pittsfield/ or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Pittsfield's Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change your current product selection.
 

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ADOPTED! Companion Corner: Cali and Kyzer at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Great news, Kyzer and Cali found a home for Christmas already! Still looking for a new friend for the holidays? There are plenty of dogs and cats and small animals at Berkshire Humane who would love to go home with you.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a bonded dog pair awaiting a new family at the Berkshire Humane Society.

Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, a quite a bit bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.

Canine adoption counselor Rhonda Cyr introduced us to the two.

"They came from a household that couldn't hold on to them, and it sounds like they may have been abandoned by their previous owner with somebody else, and so they came to us looking for a new home," she said.

The two love to be around you and snuggle. But both are very happy dogs.

"Kyzer is 7 years old, and his personality is that he kind of wants to be in everything. He's very loving, very snuggly, as you can tell. And Callie here, she's 8 years old, and she is kind of like the life of the party," said Cyr. "She wants to tell you everything about her day, and she's a little bit of a little ham."

The two are considered seniors and really like soft treats as Cali just had a few teeth removed and Kyzer has a tooth procedure coming up.

"Currently, they really like soft treats, because they are both on the senior side of things. So they have had some dental work, so they are really in need of something softer. They are not big chewers at this age, really, their main focus right now is just really socializing and cuddling," Cyr said.

The two would love a quiet home with someone who wants to snuggle. They shouldn't go to a home with bigger dogs but if you have a dog, you can bring them in for a visitation with the poodles to see if they will get along. Cats will be fine and the preference is for older and more responsible children so that the pups don't get hurt, as they are senior citizens.

"The perfect home for them would be a quiet home that's not too active. Like I said, they're very social, so they could handle some visitors," she said. "They're very friendly, but I don't think that they would really enjoy any other dogs in the home."

Poodles need to be regularly groomed, and the prospective adopter will have to keep an eye on their health. Kyzer has a heart murmur that needs to be monitored. This doesn't mean he is in bad health, as he could live a perfectly normal life, but he will need to be checked by a veterinary specialist routinely.

"Ideally, he would go to a home that could provide further health care with a specialist in cardiac care. And you know, he could very well live out the rest of his life comfortably and happy," Cyr said. "We just don't have all that information at the moment, but I think that you know the way he's going right now. He's got a good spirit, and he seems to be pretty happy."

The shelter is hoping the to get them a home for the holidays.

"We would love to get them a home in time for the holidays. They've been here since the eighth of November, and they're really, really looking as much as the staff loves them here, we're really looking to get them into a home and somewhere nice and cozy so they can spend the rest of their life together," she said.

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