West Boylston Municipal Light Plant
The Electric Light Dept for West Boylston, MA
For over a century, West Boylston Municipal Light Plant (WBMLP) has provided citizens and businesses of West Boylston, MA with dependable electric power. WBMLP is a "municipal light plant". And that gives our town lots of benefits that municipalities who get power from the big companies, don't get.
- Better dependability, reliability and overall economy.
- Local ownership. Owned by the citizens of West Boylston.
- Negotiating power. We negotiate and buy longterm power supplies from a diverse, balanced range of resources. That means customers get better electric rates.
- Faster. If the power goes out, WBMLP's crews are right here in town, and can locate and repair problems in minutes instead of hours.
PAY YOUR BILL
COLUMBUS DAY OFFICE CLOSURE NOTIFICATION
The West Boylston Municipal Light Plant will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 to observe and celebrate the Columbus Day holiday. Have a very safe long weekend! To report power outages and emergencies while our offices are closed, please call 508-835-3681, Press #2, Wachusett Regional Emergency Communication Center. Or, call at 774-450-3510, press #3, Wachusett Regional Emergency Communication Center.
REBATES AVAILABLE TIL THE END OF 2024
WBMLP’s Residential Energy Efficiency and Conservation service, NEXTZERO, is offering rebates on energy-efficient new appliances, as well as home heating and cooling! Learn more—and keep in mind that these rebates expire at the end of the 2024.
OUR PLEDGE & GOALS
WBMLP is and will continue do our best to minimize price increases and ensure reliability, while meeting our Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals.
Here's where we've been—and where we're going!
WBMLP's NEW GARAGE
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 depreciation 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.
SUMMER HEAT TIPS
Take these steps to keep your home cooler during heat waves. Also, consider cooking outside during hot weather to save energy and keep the kitchen cool. Click through all the WBMLP Summer Heat Tips below.
SmartHub and all our new payment options
WBMLP has switched to a New Billing System with an Online App to help you manage your electricity account more easily and efficiently.
- Online payments are available as of January 8, 2024. Use SmartHub, Pay Now, or Pay-by-Phone to pay your bill.
- Help save money, paper, and keep our rates low by enrolling in SmartHub’s Auto-Pay and Paperless Billing.
- WBMLP still accepts Personal Checks, Bank Checks, and Cash Payments by mail (no cash please) or in-person.
- WBMLP has provided all eligible customers with the Early Payment Discount for the entire month of January.
- WBMLP reduced electricity rates on your January bill to reflect the Early Payment Discount.
- The Early Payment Discount will return as a separate line item on our new bills mailed February 1st.
Details are now available on WBMLP's SmartHub Webpage and SmartHub PDF Flyer.
ANNOUNCING A COST-REDUCING BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR WEST BOYLSTON
(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.
SAVE WITH WBMLP & NEXTZERO
Remember, WBMLP and our partner NEXTZERO offer rebates on eligible EnergyStar® Appliances, Heating, Cooling, and much more — as well as new federal tax incentives. Don't leave money on the table when it could be in your pocket!
NEW ONLINE ENERGY AUDIT SCHEDULER!
WBMLP’S residential energy audit partners, NextZero and The Center for EcoTechnology, have launched a new Online Scheduling Tool. Now, you can conveniently schedule your free Residential Home Energy Audit quickly online. Begin learning what steps you can take to implement energy and cost-saving measures today.
WBMLP EXCEEDED OUR NET-ZERO BY 2050 GOALS!
According to a report by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP), 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 MA DEP Report on our News Page.
WBMLP IS A NEXT ZERO MEMBER UTILITY!
NEXT ZERO is an entity created by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Companies (MMWEC) and participating Municipal Light Plants like WBMLP. NEXT ZERO replaced MuniHelps — and is focused on Greenhouse Gas Emission Standard (GGES) goals. (GGES requires the MLP Energy Supply to reach “Net Zero” Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050.)
The name NEXT ZERO also refers to electric Appliances, HVAC and Water Heating Systems, Tools, Household Goods, etc. As WBMLP and the entire electric sector cleans up their energy supply, your “Next” products should be the most efficient electric ones. Those rated EnergyStar® help reduce GHG Emissions in and around your home, business, and the environment. NEXT ZERO is offers a growing list of rebates on qualifying EnergyStar® electric items and appliances. Check in frequently for updates and new additions.
WBMLP NEWS
GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION—WBMLP & THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR LEAD THE TOP 3!
WBMLP and the Electricity Sector are leading the way in Greenhouse Gas Reduction. See the Infographic. Outstanding!
EV BENEFITS CHART
See our Electric Vehicle vs. Gas-Powered Car Comparison Chart using your low WBMLP's electric rates. It's impressive! Plus, read about all the latest EV and Charger Incentives & Rebates.
FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES
PUBLIC POWER ADVANTAGES VIDEO
See all the advantages having local power gives you, your family and businesses.
WBMLP CLEAN ENERGY & OUR ENVIRONMENT
Concerned WBMLP Customers ASK US:
"Where does my electricity come from?" “Is it low impact and easy on our environment?" “Is our energy clean or renewable?”
WBMLP ANSWERS:
"WBMLP's Energy Supply already contains a substantial amount of power from existing Clean and Renewable Sources of Generation."
- 50% of West Boylston's Energy Supply emitted ZERO Greenhouse Gases in 2020.
- 57% Reduction in GHG Emissions by the entire MA energy sector from 1990 to 2018.
- 0% Coal Generation in Massachusetts after 2017. Massachusetts eliminated its dirtiest GHG-emitting generation.
REBATES & INCENTIVES FOR CUSTOMERS
West Boylston Municipal Light Plant customers are now eligible for rebates on ENERGY STAR®-certified room air conditioners, all-in-one washer and dryers, and all-in-one washer and heat pump dryers! Details.
Explore Discounts & Rebates:
- Free NEXTZERO Home Energy Audits, Appliance Rebates & Incentives
- Connected Homes—for Better Residential Energy Management, Conservation & Savings
- Electric Vehicle (EV) & Vehicle Charger Discount & Rebate Programs
- Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Rebates
- Electric Heat Pump Heating & Cooling Rebates
* WBMLP remits these rebates as Rebate Checks or Debit Cards mailed to you.
WBMLP SERVICES
We're here to help! Click below for answers to questions we hear most often.
- How to Pay Your Bill
- Contact our office
- Electric Rates
- Applying for Service
- What to do in an Outage
- Streetlight Requests
Get more answers to your questions, plus important facts here...
SEE MORE FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONSNEW — ONLINE ELECTRICAL SERVICE APPLICATION FORM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION & SERVICE UPGRADES!
Visit our Apply For Service Page. See how to apply for a WBMLP account for your type of service.
New Construction and Service Upgrades can now apply online! Questions? Give us a call at (508) 835-3681.
WATCH WBMLP'S PUBLIC POWER VIDEO
Learn more about Public Power and what WBMLP does for you.
☀ We're Making Power from the Sun in West Boylston! ☀
WBMLP-owned. 333kW Solar Site Project located at 225 Shrewsbury Street has been operating since 2011.
WBMLP-owned. 1,856kW Community Solar Site Project located at 196 Temple Street has been operating since 2017.
Green Street PPA to WBMLP. 786kW Community Rooftop Solar Project has been operating since 2019.