A joint municipal electrical aggregation program involving Northampton, Amherst and Pelham, developed over the past several years as a way of bringing cleaner electricity to households and businesses, is getting ready to start.

The Valley Green Energy electricity program, created through the collective buying power of the three communities, will mean supplying more renewable electricity, generated by sun and wind sources, as well as stable electricity prices and more electricity choices for consumers.

Before launching the program, though, Pelham, Amherst and Northampton must develop an aggregation plan that will be submitted to state regulators for review and approval.

To ensure the public has an opportunity to weigh in on the program’s development, the draft aggregation plan is available for review and comment until June 30.

Residents and business owners can review the plan, posted in Amherst at www.amherstma.gov/3735/Valley-Green-Energy, in Northampton at northamptonma.gov/2515/Valley-Green-Energy, and in Pelham at townofpelham.org/. Comments can be submitted by conventional mail or by email.

Hard copies of the draft documents will also be available at Amherst Town Hall, Northampton City Hall and the Pelham town clerk’s office.

While Valley Green Energy is not guaranteeing lower prices compared to what people pay for National Grid basic service in Northampton, or Eversource basic service in Amherst and Pelham, the idea is to have competitive prices that are stable for the long term. In addition, since the electric utility is not being replaced, the delivery of electricity and billing will continue to be done by Eversource and National Grid.

The choices that people would have, when part of the program, includes the default Valley Green Energy Green, with a higher renewable energy content than is included in utility basic service; Valley Green Energy 100% Green, which uses entirely renewable sources; Valley Green Energy Budget, which offers no additional renewable energy above state minimum requirements; and Valley Green Energy Local, with power from generators in or near participating communities.

Consumer protections are in place. The program will include no hidden fees, and people will be able to opt out of the program any time with no penalty.

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