August 2026 MA Muni Minute
Inside this Edition
ISO-New England's Day-Ahead Ancillary Services Initiative (DASI/DAAS) continues to generate significantly higher-than-expected ancillary service charges, creating budget challenges for municipalities and other energy customers across the region.
Municipal energy management relies on accurate, predictable costs to support budgeting, reporting, and long-term planning. Unexpected increases tied to DAAS have disrupted those efforts for many organizations. Over the past several months, Freedom Energy's team has worked closely with municipal clients to review supplier charges, evaluate contract language, and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs.
Through negotiations led by CEO Bart Fromuth and Municipal Program Director Brian White, several municipalities have successfully challenged DAAS-related rate increases and recovered substantial savings.
In two recent cases, Freedom Energy helped Massachusetts municipal clients dispute supplier-imposed DAAS increases that raised their contracted electricity rates well above the original agreed-upon pricing. By reviewing contract terms, gathering supporting documentation, and working directly with suppliers, Freedom successfully restored the original contract rates and secured refunds for charges that should not have been assessed. Combined, the municipalities avoided more than $650,000 in additional costs over the life of their contracts.
While every contract and situation is unique, these successes demonstrate the importance of reviewing DAAS-related charges and understanding how contract language may impact rate adjustments.
If your municipality has questions about recent DAAS charges or supplier rate increases, Freedom Energy can help evaluate your situation and determine whether opportunities may exist to reduce or eliminate these costs. Contact our team for a complimentary review.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) play an important role in many renewable energy programs across Massachusetts. These certificates represent the environmental attributes associated with renewable energy generation and can provide additional value when properly managed.
Periodically reviewing REC strategies can help communities better align their renewable energy investments with sustainability goals while maximizing the overall value of participation. If your community participates in a renewable energy program, when was the last time you reviewed the REC balance on your electricity invoice?
As renewable energy programs mature, municipalities should review how their REC credits are allocated and determine whether adjustments could improve program performance. Reviewing REC strategies can help communities better align renewable energy investments with sustainability goals while maximizing the overall value of participation.
Freedom Energy Logistics helps municipalities evaluate their REC credit allocation strategies, renewable energy procurement options, and long-term sustainability goals. Our team works with communities across Massachusetts to identify opportunities that can enhance the financial and environmental benefits of renewable energy investments. Contact Freedom Energy Logistics to learn how your municipality can make the most of its renewable energy resources and REC portfolio.
Many Massachusetts municipalities continue to benefit from net metering arrangements that provide bill credits generated by local renewable energy projects.
Through net metering, credits generated by solar or other qualifying renewable facilities can be allocated to municipal accounts, helping offset electricity costs for public buildings, schools, libraries, public safety facilities, and other municipal operations.
For municipalities seeking ways to control operating expenses, net metering remains a proven strategy that can deliver savings without requiring direct ownership of renewable energy infrastructure. As project availability changes over time, communities may benefit from periodically reviewing whether new net metering opportunities are available.
A Massachusetts municipality participating in a net metering program may allocate renewable energy credits across multiple municipal facilities, such as town halls, schools, public works buildings, and fire stations. By applying these credits to monthly electric bills, communities can reduce operating expenses while supporting local renewable energy development. For many municipalities, these savings help budget resources that can be redirected toward essential public services and infrastructure improvements.
Interested in exploring available net metering opportunities?
Freedom Energy Logistics helps municipalities identify renewable energy credit opportunities, evaluate potential savings, and manage participation in net metering programs. Our team works with communities across New England to maximize the value of renewable energy credits while supporting long-term budget and sustainability goals.
Recently Released! New Freedom Exchange Podcast that Explores the Future of Energy Affordability, Grid Reliability, Data Centers, and What’s Next
The energy landscape is evolving rapidly, bringing new opportunities and challenges for municipalities across Massachusetts. From rising electricity demand driven by data centers and electrification efforts to ongoing discussions around grid reliability and long-term energy affordability, local leaders are being asked to navigate increasingly complex energy decisions.
To help municipalities stay informed, Freedom Energy Logistics recently launched a new podcast series focused on the issues shaping today’s energy markets and tomorrow’s energy infrastructure.
Hosted by Dileep Prabhakar, the podcast series features conversations with Freedom Energy thought leaders and energy experts. The first in the series highlights VP of Sales Carol Anne Watts, who shares insights on market trends, energy policy, reliability concerns, renewable energy development, data analytics, and strategies for managing energy costs in an evolving marketplace. Spend 30 minutes gaining timely insights on energy affordability.
Freedom Energy is proud to support Cruisin’ Downtown Manchester, NH one of New England’s premier community events and the region’s largest classic car show. The event will take place on September 5, 2026, in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire, bringing together car enthusiasts, local businesses, community members, and families while supporting important charitable causes.
This year’s event holds special significance for Freedom Energy, as our founder, Gus Fromuth, serves as President of the Manchester Rotary Club organization responsible for planning event. Gus’ longstanding involvement reflects Freedom’s commitment to supporting the communities we serve both inside and outside the energy sector. We are honored to help celebrate the event’s 25th year while supporting its mission of raising awareness for leukemia and stem cell donation.
For more information visit here.
As municipalities continue exploring net metering, REC strategies, battery storage, and solar opportunities, understanding available renewable energy options can be challenging. Freedom Energy’s Renewables Team helps communities evaluate opportunities, assess potential benefits, and navigate implementation with expert guidance every step of the way.
Municipal leaders are facing increasing pressure to manage rising energy costs while advancing sustainability goals. To help communities evaluate and implement practical energy solutions, Freedom Energy has expanded its municipal advisory capabilities through its dedicated Renewables Team led by Renewable Program Director Byron Blankenhorn. The team provides independent, data-driven guidance across renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy infrastructure projects.
Freedom’s Renewables Team assists municipalities with evaluating opportunities such as net metering credits, community solar participation, on-site solar development, battery storage, microgrids, demand response programs, and energy efficiency upgrades. The team’s vendor-agnostic approach helps communities identify the most effective options, coordinate competitive bid processes, and navigate project implementation with confidence. As municipalities continue exploring ways to reduce long-term energy costs, Freedom’s renewable energy specialists are available to provide advisory support tailored to local needs and each community’s specific goals.
Contact Freedom Energy to schedule a FREE consultation with the Renewables Team to hear about a variety of program options, and to evaluate opportunities to achieve your goals.
Green Communities Annual Reports are due on December 2, 2026, and municipal staff may benefit from beginning preparations well ahead of the deadline. Communities are encouraged to review utility account information, fuel records, building assignments, and facility data within MassEnergyInsight (MEI) before reporting season begins. The FY26 Annual Report form is expected to be available in September through MEI.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), newly added utility accounts can take 45 days or longer before data becomes available, making early review particularly important. Communities should also verify building square footage, inactive utility accounts, and facility assignments to ensure accurate reporting.
Proper data management not only simplifies annual reporting but can also improve a community’s ability to pursue future grant opportunities and demonstrate progress toward sustainability goals.
Reference Sources
| Information Used | Source | Reference Link |
|---|---|---|
| Annual report deadline and FY26 reporting requirements | DOER Green Communities Mid-Summer Update | Green Communities Annual Reports |
| MEI preparation guidance and reporting resources | MassEnergyInsight (MEI) Resources | MEI Support Resources |
| Regional support contacts and technical assistance | DOER Regional Coordinators | Regional Coordinator Directory |
Massachusetts municipalities continue to have access to a variety of funding programs that support clean energy, sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure projects.
Current opportunities highlighted by DOER include:
The recently launched Build for Mass initiative provides low-interest financing options designed to help communities advance priority infrastructure projects, including clean energy and climate resilience initiatives.
Municipal officials interested in pursuing energy projects should review current eligibility requirements and application timelines before fall funding deadlines arrive.
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