Valley Green Energy Working Group Sep 17, 2026

The Town of Amherst's Valley Green Energy Working Group met on September 17, 2026, to discuss updates related to their community electricity aggregation program. Key procurement-related topics included the preparation and approval of press releases and customer mailings regarding upcoming price changes for electricity supply contracts managed by Direct Energy. The group agreed on issuing a unified press release for all participating communities to clearly communicate competitive rates and program changes, aiming to reduce customer confusion and inquiries. Additionally, the group discussed the status of a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for developing a business plan, with plans to have it reviewed by a key consultant before release. They also considered the potential for expanding the program by collaborating with other communities to form a larger joint powers entity (JPE), which could enhance purchasing power and renewable energy project development. The meeting included discussions on renewable energy content, contract terms, and website updates to improve public communication about the program's offerings and pricing.