EASTHAMPTON— Easthampton’s plans for municipal electricity aggregation have been given the go-ahead by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, allowing the city to join more than 170 other municipalities across the state in providing residents more flexibility when it comes to choosing an electricity provider.

The program, Easthampton Community Electricity, seeks to offer more renewable energy options to homes, businesses, and municipal buildings at competitive and stable prices. It is an example of municipal aggregation, through which “a municipality purchases electricity in bulk from a competitive supplier on behalf of the residents and businesses within the community,” according to the Massachusetts DPU website.

Before submitting the city’s municipal aggregation plans for approval by the DPU, the city underwent a period of public commentary in June of last year. But Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said that neither this period nor DPU feedback necessitated any major changes to drafts of the city’s plans, allowing them to move forward at a steady pace.

“We’re excited to work with our partner Good Energy to get this rolled out,” said LaChapelle, referring to the consultants contracted for the project.

Once implemented, Easthampton Community Electricity will be the new default electricity supply. “Easthampton Standard” will be the default option. “Easthampton Plus” will be a 100% renewable energy option, and “Easthampton Basic” will use the minimum amount of renewable energy required by the state. Eversource will continue to own and manage the city’s electricity delivery services.

Consumers will also be free to opt out of the municipal aggregation program.

LaChapelle expressed excitement that, not only will Easthampton Community Electricity offer consumers more choice when it comes to their electricity supply, but it will also help the city attain goals outlined in its Climate Action Plan.

“You can opt into an energy plan … that is very green — local wind, local solar,” said LaChapelle. “An important part of these municipal aggregation programs is you can choose a cleaner energy source from local supplies.”

In addition, because the city itself will be getting its electricity through the program, it will be able reduce its carbon footprint.

According to Easthampton’s Energy Advisory Committee chair, Jamie Paquette, the city and its consultants at Good Energy anticipate Eastampton Community Energy being up and running around June or July.

“There’s still a little bit of fact-finding that has to go on right now,” said Paquette, who explained that, following DPU approval, information now has to be collected on all “customers” in the city and their energy consumption before the project can be put out to bid for potential suppliers.

Paquette estimated that the project will likely go out to bid in March, beginning a process during which the city will seek out a supplier that will offer competitive pricing for the program’s three energy supply packages for what will likely be a two- to three-year contract.

“We’d be looking to lock in a lower price than what people are already paying,” said Paquette.

Paquette explained that savings aren’t necessarily guaranteed with a municipal aggregation program, but the city is encouraged by the experiences of other municipalities, where these programs have proved “cheaper for consumers in the long run.”

Once the city has secured a supplier, it will undertake a public outreach and education process before welcoming users into the new energy program.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.