Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) is celebrating Public Power & Natural Gas Week, October 5-9, along with thousands of community-owned utilities throughout the country, collectively providing electricity and natural gas services to millions of Americans. This annual nationwide event will be different this year, as we cannot celebrate in person, but HG&E hopes to build awareness about the value of having a community-owned utility in Holyoke.

“Public Power & Natural Gas Week honors the community ownership of HG&E, which results in competitive rates, innovative and sustainable energy solutions, reliable service, and excellent customer care for residents and businesses. It also recognizes the economic, social, and environmental contributions of our public power system,” said James Lavelle, HG&E’s Manager. “The pandemic has highlighted how personal HG&E’s relationship is with our customers, as we continue to provide service and support during this challenging time.”

Having a local, public utility benefits the community in many ways, including:

• We operate in the public interest – to improve the quality of life for our customers and the community.
• We are leaders in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability and environmental stewardship, with a focus on the future success of the community. With that in mind, HG&E provides 94% carbon-free electricity, far exceeding the Commonwealth’s renewable portfolio standard for utilities.
• Our focus is on providing excellent and reliable service instead of making a profit for corporate shareholders. HG&E has received some of the highest levels of recognition related to service and reliability from American Public Power Association (APPA) and the American Public Gas Association (APGA).
• Our employees live in the community, and many are HG&E customers themselves.
• If a customer has a concern, they can discuss the problem locally, with HG&E management, and be assured that the problem will be addressed. In HG&E’s 2019 Customer Satisfaction Survey, 97.4% of customers reported a positive rating regarding their relationship with HG&E.
• Local ownership means that a good portion of our customers’ energy dollars stay in the community – creating jobs and supporting the local economy.
• Our rates and services are controlled locally. This enables us to carefully make decisions and provide services that specifically benefit the community.
• We provide our customers with energy at some of the lowest rates in Massachusetts.
• Our low energy rates and innovative energy conservation incentives serve to assist the City’s Economic Development efforts.

As your utility provider, HG&E understands the importance of ensuring the continuity of critical utility services and meeting the needs of our customers. While HG&E offices are currently closed due to the pandemic, we remain available to serve all customer utility needs by phone and various online communication options. Contact HG&E at (413) 536-9300 or visit our website (hged.com) for more information.

Public Power & Natural Gas Week is a national, annual event sponsored in conjunction with APPA and APGA .