MMED lowest-cost provider in region, comparison shows
By Stacey Gallotta
Thu Dec 24, 2009
Mansfield - The town’s municipal light department rates are the lowest in the region, a year-long comparison of state residential electric rates shows.
The comparison, which covered a 12-month period between October 2008 and September 2009, found Mansfield’s average rates were the lowest among area electricity providers, including North Attleboro Electric, Taunton Municipal Lighting, National Grid and NStar.
The report’s data was compiled by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company.
Municipal Light Department Director Gary Babin presented the rate comparison findings Monday evening during, Dec. 21 the light department’s monthly meeting.
“Overall, we rated between sixth and sixteenth lowest of 43 utilities (in the state) for the different sized residential classes,” Babin said. “I think that we compare pretty favorably in the different residential rates that we have.”
According to the report, a 250-killowatt light department customers paid an average of $32.57 per month for electricity, the sixth lowest rate for the category statewide.
In addition, 500-killowatt hour customers paid approximately $66.21 per month for electricity, while 750-kilowatt hour and 1000-kilowatt hour customers paid $101.13 and $136.05, respectively.
In July, the light department did a similar rate-comparison study based on a June 2009 snapshot that showed the town’s electric department had some of the most favorable rates in Massachusetts. The same study showed the light department has one of the 10 lowest average electric rates in the state.
Stacey Gallotta can be reached at 508-967-3508, or at sgallott@cnc.com.