The Chelsea City Council voted 8-1 Monday night to join a state solar incentive program that city officials estimate will cut eligible residents’ electricity bills by about $30 a month.
The order authorizes City Manager Fidel Maltez to sign 20-year agreements with two solar companies, BWC Merriam Brook, LLC and Blue Meadow Brook, LLC, under the state Department of Energy Resources’ SMART solar incentive program. The money will reach residents through Chelsea Electricity Choice, the city’s municipal electricity program. In two more 8-1 votes, the council created a Low-Income Solar Energy Revolving Fund, run by the Department of Public Works, to hold and spend the program money.
Councillor Todd Taylor cast the only no vote on all three orders. Councillors Tanairi Garcia and Calvin Brown were absent.
Who qualifies
Eligibility was first limited to customers on the Eversource low-income rate, according to the report from the council’s October 26 Conference committee meeting. After councillors asked that more residents be included, the city consulted state agencies, and the plan now lets Chelsea residents self-certify their income. An individual earning less than $96,000 a year is eligible, with income limits set at 80 percent of the area median income.
The estimated savings of about $30 a month depend on how much power the solar projects produce, which changes with the weather. Councillor Giovanni Recupero said the city plans to help residents who do not know how to sign up. The meeting did not cover how or when residents will enroll.
The debate
Taylor called the program “a backdoor tax through Eversource.” He said customers who do not take part will see their electric bills go up to pay for discounts for those who do. “The way this whole thing came about stinks,” he said, calling it dishonest on the part of the governor and the Legislature. He urged voters to “hold your politicians accountable” at the polls on Tuesday.
Councillor Deron Hines said residents already pay for the program on their energy bills and that joining does not add a new charge. “This is a way that some people in the city can benefit and get a discount from a program that already exists, that everybody is already contributing to,” Hines said. He added that if Chelsea does not join now, another city will take the opportunity.
Vice President Norieliz DeJesus said that if the council voted no, Chelsea “would still be carrying the burden of paying for this program without receiving the benefits.” Councillor Manuel Teshe said he would gladly pay more each month so a neighbor in need could heat their home this winter. Councillor Lisa Santagate thanked the companies for widening eligibility.
Councillor Leo Robinson voted yes but said, “I’m not 100% behind it.” He asked what happens to the $30 in savings after a stretch of bad weather and said a program he studied in Maryland was better put together.
Can the city get out?
Recupero, Hines and DeJesus each said the city is not locked in for 20 years and can leave the program. Taylor questioned whether the city can leave at any time for any reason. The city clerk said that, based on conversations with the city manager, there is no financial penalty if the city ends the agreement early, and deferred to the city manager to confirm. Council President Roberto Jimenez-Rivera did not allow questions to the city manager on the item, saying councillors had had months to ask them.
The clerk said approval needed a simple majority of six votes because no city money is involved.
Watch the full meeting on Chelsea Community Cable.