WBMLP News

WBMLP and Convergent Energy & Power Break Ground on Battery Storage System for West Boylston Municipal Light Plant

May 1, 2025 – Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent), a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America has broken ground on a 3MW/9MWh utility-scale battery storage system for West Boylston Municipal Light Plant. The system is expected to stabilize costs for customers and further insulate against rising energy costs. Convergent will finance, own, and operate the WBMLP system, leveraging its proprietary energy storage intelligence, PEAK IQ®.

Utilities are increasingly pursuing battery storage systems to reduce transmission and capacity costs for their customers, which are predicted to increase for the foreseeable future. In ISO New England, where WBMLP is located, the main transmission cost applied to customers (RNS) is predicted to increase by 20% in 2025.

Systems like Convergent’s can optimize renewable energy performance, reduces costs, and increase reliability if deployed and managed intelligently. Convergent will charge and discharge its battery storage system for WBMLP at strategic times, storing energy when it is cheapest and cleanest and discharging energy to displace the most expensive and carbon-intensive periods.

WBMLP sources 56% of its energy supply from clean and renewable sources, putting it ahead of state-mandated Greenhouse Gas Emissions goals. The project will be co-located next to West Boylston’s existing solar and flywheel assets.

“This battery storage system will allow West Boylston Municipal Light Plant to continue delivering reliable, sustainable, cost-effective electricity to our customers,” said General Manager, Jon Fitch, West Boylston Municipal Light Plant. “We’re thrilled to work with Convergent Energy and Power to keep electricity rates manageable for our customers while also working ahead of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions goals.”

“U.S electricity demand is expected to increase by 50% by 2050—and energy storage has never been more critical to our electric grid—and our communities,” said Johannes Rittershausen, Chief Executive Officer, Convergent Energy and Power. “Together with the West Boylston Municipal Light Plant, Convergent Energy and Power is proud to accelerate the clean energy transition in Massachusetts with a system that will bring the West Boylston community a cleaner, more cost-effective and reliable grid.”

The system is projected to come online in the third quarter of 2025.

Ripple Fiber Invests Over $140 Million to Expand Fiber Internet Access to West Boylston

Ripple Fiber, a fiber optic internet provider recently announced its plans to enter Massachusetts, marking the company’s network expansion into the Northeast. With plans to start construction this spring beginning in West Boylston and Holden, Ripple aims to begin launching service by mid-2025, while actively launching expansion markets throughout the state. The anticipated investment for the first phase of this project totals over $140 million.

“Our entrance into Massachusetts represents a significant achievement in expanding our national footprint, with our upcoming build establishing our presence in the Northeast region,” said Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Ripple Fiber. “The collaborative partnerships we’ve built with each municipality, including West Boylston, are invaluable in shaping and delivering critical infrastructure projects of this scale.”

“The West Boylston Municipal Plant looks forward to working with Ripple Fiber. Our customers will soon have high-speed internet service options at competitive rates,” said a representative with the West Boylston Municipal Light Plant.

According to a recent report by Reviews.org, 55 percent of Massachusetts does not currently have access to fiber internet. This means a significant portion of the state is relying on alternative broadband options, highlighting the need for enhanced infrastructure. Providers like Ripple Fiber are working hard to bridge that gap, especially in states with even less availability. Expanding fiber coverage to provide improved internet speed, reliability and accessibility ensures more residents will benefit from high-speed, future-ready connectivity.

With its 10 gig-ready network, Ripple Fiber provides thousands of homes with lightning-fast connectivity that will power regions for decades to come. Whether customers are using their internet for remote work or video streaming, they can rely on this service for exceptional bandwidth and impressive upload and download speeds. Embracing optimism and recognizing the importance of digital access, Ripple Fiber strives to empower its customers by equipping them with the necessary tools to build a bright future.

Once build areas are finalized, the pre-order period will open for interested residents. As the project progresses, homeowners will receive direct updates about the construction process. West Boylston Residents who would like to learn more about Ripple Fiber’s offerings can visit ripplefiber.com, follow along on social media (@ripple.fiber), or watch for updates and announcements from WBMLP.

WBMLP is proud to have the 2nd LOWEST RESIDENTIAL RATES in Massachusetts

We compared. After performing a Residential Rate Comparison for 2024 for Central Massachusetts customers with 750kW monthly usage, we found out that WBMLP has the 2nd lowest Residential Rates!

WBMLP PLEDGE & GOALS

WBMLP is and will continue do our best to minimize price increases and ensure reliability, while meeting our Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals.

The graphic above shows where we've been—and where we're going!

WBMLP's NEW GARAGE OPEN HOUSE! TUESDAY, 7/23, 4-6pm

(July 8, 2024) Construction of WBMLP’s new garage at 29 Prospect St is complete and ready to store our large utility vehicles and equipment. Our existing garages, built in the '60s, are too small for today’s larger all-wheel drive vehicles—and we need to maintain them in good working condition for as long as possible. (A new utility vehicle costs between $350,000-$400,000.) Keeping our vehicles stored indoors extends the life of these expensive vehicles. The new garage will also serve as a backup office to our main office, and we’ll hold our Monthly Board Meetings in the new facility, since it is accessible to all.

The new garage was completed on schedule and on budget. The budget for the project was approximately $3.78M, and we spent $3.81M, which accounts for all the additions and subtractions we made to the original design. WBMLP paid $1.81M of the total project cost from our deprecation savings account and the remaining $2M was paid from our reserve savings account which we’ll replenish from our existing electricity rates over the next 10 years.

Tour the new facility at our New Garage Open House, 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024!

COST-REDUCING BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT

(September 26, 2023) West Boylston Municipal Light Plant is partnering with Convergent Energy battery storage systems to install a battery storage system for the town's electrical system in the very near future. Battery storage systems like this 3MW/9MWh utility-scale system help reduce transmission and capacity expenses, as well as stabilize and further insulate our electric customers against rising energy costs in volatile energy markets. Also, battery storage systems such as the one being installed for West Boylston will enhance WBMLP's transition to clean energy by optimizing renewable energy performance, reducing costs, and increasing reliability. Convergent's storage battery systems utilize the company's proprietary energy storage intelligence called PEAK IQ® to ensure 24/7 maximum efficiency. The facility will be co-located near WBMLP's existing solar and flywheel assets.

The BESS will generate approximately $257,680 annually in transmission and capacity cost savings over the first 10 years for WBMLP. These annual savings will be used to repay $2M in reserve account funds used to construct the 29 Prospect St Garage Project. Convergent will finance, own, and operate this new battery storage system and it is expected to come online in 2024. Read the Press Release.

UPDATE! West Boylston to achieve 80% Clean and Renewable Energy Supply by 2030 — thanks to careful planning and local control by WBMLP's ratepayers!

With 56% of WBMLP's energy supply already clean and renewable at the end of last year, your light plant is already ahead of other electric utilities in meeting state-mandated Greenhouse Gas Emission (GGES) goals. These goals essentially require all MLPs to achieve a 50% clean and renewable energy supply by 2030. The mandate increases to 75% by 2040, and ultimately, Net-Zero GHG emissions by 2050.

How is WBMLP doing it?

• Planning today and securing and integrating more wind, solar, nuclear, and hydroelectricity generation into our energy portfolio now and over time.
• Retiring environmental attributes called RECs from local solar and wind projects.
• Entering into longterm fixed cost contracts for additional clean energy that doesn't emit any GHGs.
• Encouraging our customers to save money and reduce GHG emissions by offering attractive rebates and incentives to electrify their homes with Heat-Pump HVAC Systems, Heat-Pump Hot Water Heaters, Electric Induction Stoves, and Electric Vehicles and EV Chargers.
• Keeping your rates low while accomplishing everything above. WBMLP's low rate of $0.14 per kWh hasn't changed in almost 14 years!

Learn more about WBMLP's outstanding progress by reading our Press Release, going to our GGES Emissions Standard webpage, WBMLP's 2022 Energy Supply webpage , or any other destination under our website's "NET ZERO EMISSIONS" category.

PUBLIC POWER VIDEO

Watch the new 1-minute video showing how your West Boylston Municipal Light Plant and other consumer-owned electric utilities in Massachusetts work harder and better for our customers — courtesy of MMWEC (Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company).

PUBLIC POWER WEEK — OCTOBER 2-8!

WBMLP and public power utilities across the U.S. celebrate Public Power Week every year during the first full week of October. It helps our customers and stakeholders understand how they can better engage with your community-owned electric utility and understand the many benefits and advantages that we offer.

Public Power Week is sponsored by the American Public Power Association, the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities in the USA. Thank you for being a customer of West Boylston Municipal Light Plant!

WINTER 2022/2023 CUSTOMER NEWSLETTER

(Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2022) WBMLP has good news and updates for our customers. Read all about it in our Winter 2022/2023 Customer Newsletter.

WBMLP EXCEEDED OUR NET-ZERO BY 2050 GOALS!

(Thursday, June 30, 2022) According to a report by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) released in June, WBMLP is significantly ahead of its goals to achieve Net-Zero GHG Emissions from its Energy Supply by 2050!

See the good news in our latest infographic. See the complete MA DEP Report.

WBMLP PLANS TO EXPAND TO FORMER VETERINARY HOSPITAL SITE

(March 4, 2022) "If all goes according to plan, the old veterinary hospital at 29 Prospect St. will be razed this spring. In its place, the West Boylston Municipal Light Plant is planning to build a new facility to house equipment."

Read the story in the The Item.

WBMLP & MASS SAVE® ANNOUNCE AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP (ASHP) SYSTEM REBATES OF UP TO $10,000+!

(February 15, 2022) WBMLP Electric Residential Customers who qualify can convert from Gas Heating to an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) for 2 Big Rebates.

These exceptional new rebates are a big incentive to convert from Natural Gas Heating and Cooling Systems to super-efficient Electric Air Source Heat Pump Heating/Cooling Systems. (This program has ended.)

PROJECT 2015A PROPOSED PROJECT WILL HELP PREVENT BLACKOUTS & BROWNOUTS

(June 24, 2021) MMWEC (the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company) is spearheading an important development—Project 2015A in Peabody. Once built, 2015A will increase electric capacity during peak load times, and help prevent brownouts and blackouts for WBMLP customers (like the disaster in Texas during 2 whole weeks in February of 2021).

See our Project 2015A Page for more information.

"ELECTRIFICATION" SAVES MONEY & MOVES TOWARD MEETING NET ZERO GOALS

Switching from the fossil fuels used to heat and cool our buildings and power our vehicles is called "electrification". Because West Boylston’s energy supply is already mostly clean and our electricity rates are so low—electrification will lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce your operating costs.

WBMLP is planning to eliminate all GHG emissions from our power supply by 2050. You should prepare too. Review the tips on our Electrification Infographic when replacing or upgrading major appliances and vehicles beginning now. Be ready for the future.

Learn more by clicking the Electrification Infographic, or see WBMLP's Electricity Rate Comparison Table. On a cost-per-BTU, WBMLP electric power is less expensive to operate than natural gas, oil and propane!

Also, check out our Electrification Pages for West Boylston and the Commonwealth of MA.

WBMLP CELEBRATED DRIVE ELECTRIC EARTH DAY IN APRIL!

WBMLP helped celebrate Drive Electric Earth Day 2021, with a month-long nationwide celebration to increase awareness of the benefits of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). Consider going electric! Check out all of WBMLP's EV Discount offerings every month. Once on the page, click on "EVs".

COVID-19 REOPENING UPDATE

The WBMLP Office is now open to public access. Please practice safe distancing and wear a mask over your nose and mouth.

If you don’t feel comfortable in public yet, please continue to pay your bill online. Thank you!

COVID-19 RESPONSE & SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT

Due to the declaration of a Massachusetts State of Emergency and Governor's Orders to assist in the containment and response to Coronavirus COVID-19, the West Boylston Municipal Light Plant has implemented and is recommending the following safety measures, until further notice, including:

• 1. The WBMLP office is closed to public access until further notice
• 2. Payments. Please consider making electronic payments versus mailing or dropping off your payments. We have a drop-box in parking lot and a payment slot in front door.

Please send us a message or call with any questions at (508) 835-3681. View the complete PDF Announcement here.

New Residential Solar Rebate Program

West Boylston, MA. – May 24, 2019 – The new Massachusetts Municipal Light Plant Solar Program, offered through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), allows residential customers of municipal light plants such as the West Boylston Municipal Light Plant (WBMLP) to apply for a rebate for the purchase and installation of PV Solar Panels on their homes.

WBMLP’s goal is to install approximately 73 kW of new renewable solar energy in West Boylston. Read more here.

State ACES Grant for WBMLP

West Boylston, MA. – December 7, 2017 – The West Boylston Municipal Light Plant received a state grant for an energy storage project, as part of the state’s Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage (ACES) initiative. As part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s Energy Storage Initiative (“ESI”), the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced the award of $20 million dollars to support 26 projects, including West Boylston’s, for energy storage demonstration projects across the Commonwealth. These projects are aimed at piloting innovative, broadly-replicable energy storage use cases/business models with multiple value streams in order to prime Massachusetts for increased commercialization and deployment of storage technologies. The ACES Program will help direct the Commonwealth’s first substantial investments in energy storage projects that demonstrate the benefits of storage to Massachusetts ratepayers.

Community Shared Solar output is already subscribed

WEST BOYLSTON (January 14, 2017 courtesy of Telegram.com) — As the town's municipal light plant adds the 1.5 megawatt solar field on the old landfill to its power sources, many residents have gone green with their electricity.

The project is based on a subscriber system, with users able to sign up for power from the solar field, with no added cost, at the same rate the town offers all residents.

All of the Community Shared Solar output is subscribed already, according to Jonathan Fitch, manager of the West Boylston Municipal Light Plant. With more than 350 subscribers, there is a waiting list, as customers choose to participate or not on an ongoing basis, such as when a homeowner moves out of town. Read the complete story here.

WBMLP’s Electric Rates are NOT Increasing

WEST BOYLSTON October 23, 2014)— As you may have heard in the news, the distribution companies and competitive energy suppliers (IOU) are significantly increasing their electric rates. The good news is that West Boylston’s electricity rates are not increasing. In fact, WBMLP’s electricity rates haven’t significantly changed or increased since 2009. WBMLP maintains some of the lowest possible electric rates in Massachusetts, especially compared to the distribution companies and competitive energy suppliers.

The average homeowner in West Boylston consumed approximately 750 kWh’s per month and spent approximately $97.16 per month for that electricity between July 2013 and July 2014. As you can see in the chart below, WBMLP’s average residential electricity rate is lower than the investor owned utility residential rates in Massachusetts. This comparison does not even include the IOU rate increases you’re hearing about! Our large commercial and industrial electricity rates are also much lower than the comparable IOU rates.

Read more in our PDF Newsletter by clicking here.

WBMLP Part of Deal for Wind Power from Maine

WEST BOYLSTON (January 24, 2014)— US-based renewable energy company First Wind and the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) signed an agreement that will bring renewable energy from First Wind’s planned Hancock Wind project near Ellsworth, ME to 17 Massachusetts municipal utilities including West Boylston Municipal Light Plant.

Under a 25-year, fixed-price contract, First Wind will sell nearly 75 percent of the power and capacity generated at the 51 MW wind farm to MMWEC.

MMWEC will resell the power and capacity at cost to 17 of its member municipal utilities. Burlington, VT Electric Department in Vermont is purchasing the remaining energy from the project.

MMWEC’s commitment to renewable energy includes the financing and development of numerous wind and solar resources in conjunction with its member utilities. Such resources include the 15 MW Berkshire Wind Power Project in western Massachusetts and several smaller municipal wind and solar projects.

When built, the Hancock Wind project will feature 17 turbines with a capacity of 3 MW each and be situated near the operating 34 MW Bull Hill Wind project in Hancock County, ME, which began operations in November 2012.