Utility Financial Assistance Programs
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many new and stressful situations for all of us. We understand these are challenging times, and we’re here to help. Eversource and National Grid are partnering to raise awareness around financial assistance programs available to income-eligible customers. Even if you’ve never qualified before, you may be eligible for financial assistance now.
Please join an upcoming free webinar to learn about:
Coming in 2021
The Town of Sharon has an electricity aggregation program called Sharon Power Choice. The program plan, which was recently approved by the state Department of Public Utilities, is scheduled to be implemented in the beginning of 2021.
The program provides an opportunity for Sharon to increase the amount of renewable energy in the community’s electricity supply.
With the program, the Town will use the bulk buying power of the community to provide:
Greener electricity: The program will include options to buy electricity with more renewable content than Eversource provides. (Massachusetts law requires that a minimum amount of renewable energy be included in all electricity sold in the state to retail customers.) The Town’s program will have options for 100% renewables and an enhanced share of renewables
Consumer protections: The competitive procurement process will ensure a Town-vetted alternative to commercial electricity supply offers that customers may be receiving in the mail or by phone. There will be no hidden costs or other hidden provisions.
Participating and opting out
All Eversource Basic Service customers (electricity customers who have not signed a contract with an electricity supplier) will be automatically enrolled. If you have already signed a contract with an electricity supplier, you will not be automatically enrolled, but can opt into the program if you wish.
Participation is not required. You may opt out of the program before being enrolled and any time after enrollment with no fee or penalty.
Please visit the Sharon Power Choice website for further details and timelines.
https://masspowerchoice.com/sharon
Energy and Climate Books
Read a good book – always an excellent way to learn more! Your local library and the larger Old Colony Library Network have a multitude of good resources. Check out their environmental section. Listed below are just a few suggestions to get you started…the Amazon link is included in case you want a short summary. Explore! There are of course many more. What books have you liked? Post your discoveries on the SSC Facebook page.
Drawdown – Paul Hawken https://www.amazon.com/Drawdown-Comprehensive-Proposed-Reverse-Warming/dp/0143130447
Blowout – Rachael Maddow https://www.amazon.com/Blowout-Corrupted-Democracy-Destructive-Industry/dp/0525575472
Falter – Bill McKibben https://www.amazon.com/Falter-Human-Game-Begun-Itself/dp/1250178266 note: Bill McKibben is a prolific writer who has written many books supporting the environment.
On Fire – The Burning Case for a Green New Deal – Naomi Klein https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Burning-Case-Green-Deal/dp/1982129913
The Sixth Extinction – Elizabeth Kolbert https://www.amazon.com/Sixth-Extinction-Unnatural-History/dp/0805092994
Energy and Climate Movies
As with books, there are many excellent sources. We’re listing a few of the many excellent ones. Most are available through streaming, often through Amazon. Some may require a small rental fee, but not all. A few may not currently be available unless there is an area screening. Explore, try some, look around to see what else you find. Enjoy! Tell us what you like….
Biggest Little Farm: https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/
The Story of Plastic: https://www.storyofplastic.org/
Dark Waters: https://www.focusfeatures.com/dark-waters
Before the Flood: https://www.beforetheflood.com/
Chasing Coral: https://www.chasingcoral.com/
A Plastic Ocean: https://aplasticocean.movie/
The True Cost: https://truecostmovie.com/about/
Paris to Pittsburgh: https://www.paristopittsburgh.com/
The Need to Grow: https://www.earthconsciouslife.org/theneedtogrow