Brookline’s Zero Emissions Advisory Board scheduled a public hearing Nov. 4 on revisions to the town’s electricity aggregation plan, alongside a possible vote endorsing a solar discount program for low-income customers.

The agenda packet outlined both proposals. The proposed changes concern Brookline Green Electricity, the town’s electricity purchasing program. Any actions taken at the meeting require confirmation in subsequent records.

Updating the aggregation plan

The proposed revision would align Brookline’s plan with guidelines the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities adopted in July 2024.

Those guidelines give municipalities greater flexibility to modify their programs after a 30-day public review period, with revised plans submitted to the DPU for informational purposes, according to the state’s announcement.

Good Energy, Brookline’s aggregation consultant, said in the packet that the revision would preserve the town’s existing organizational and decision-making structure. Adopting the revised format would not itself require decisions on future program innovations.

The packet identifies spring 2027 as the target for bidding on Brookline’s next electricity supply contract, with new prices taking effect in December 2027.

Solar discounts under consideration

A separate proposal would use incentives from the state’s SMART solar program to reduce electricity supply prices for eligible low-income BGE customers.

The proposed Low Income Community Shared Solar program would involve a 20-year agreement between the town and a solar developer. The packet recommends seeking endorsements from ZEAB and the Select Board to demonstrate interest to prospective developers.

Its hypothetical example describes a 2.5-megawatt solar project generating 2.75 million kilowatt-hours annually and producing approximately $110,000 a year in incentive funds.

If that entire amount were applied across 3 million kWh of annual customer usage, it would provide a discount of approximately 3.67 cents per kWh. Divided among 600 households, that represents an average of about $183 annually per household. Actual savings would depend on the final agreement, available funding and customer electricity use.

Current electricity options

Brookline’s current contract with Direct Energy runs through December 2027 meter reads. Contracted supply prices are fixed during that period; Eversource’s delivery charges are separate.

According to the official program website, customers can choose among three products:

  • Brookline Basic: Meets minimum state renewable-energy requirements.
  • Brookline Green: The default product, adding Massachusetts Class I renewable-energy certificates to bring total renewable content to 100%.
  • Brookline All Green: Adds voluntary Massachusetts Class I certificates equal to 100% of consumption above state requirements.

These renewable-content claims are supported through certificates rather than a separate physical electricity supply to each home.

Residents can review current prices, check participation and request a product change through the program website.