• Where is Massena Electric’s office located?
• Do you require a security deposit from new customers?
• How often can I expect a bill?
• Where can I pay my bill and by which methods?
• My bill is higher than usual, have your rates increased?

• Our usage is way down but our bill is still high?

• What is the Purchase Power Adjustment Charge (PPAC)?
• Does Massena Electric have generation?
• How much of Massena Electric’s Power is Green Power?
• How much does Massena Electric spend annually on power?

Q. Where is Massena Electric’s office located?

We are located at 71 E. Hatfield Street, Massena NY. Directly behind the Harte Haven Shopping Center.

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Q. Do you require a security deposit from new customers?

Security deposits are required for all new industrial and commercial accounts. The amount of the security deposit will not exceed the cost of twice the average monthly usage for the peak season.  If you are in a new building your deposit will be based on the expected load and use of service.

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Q. How often can I expect a bill?

We will bill you on a monthly basis. You will receive a bill once a month for your previous month's usage.

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You may pay your bill at our business office located at 71 East Hatfield Street or by sending your payment in the mail to Post Office Box 209, Massena NY 13662. We also have three convenient night drop boxes. One is located in the front entrance of our building at 71 E. Hatfield St., the second is located on Main Street, directly in front of the Town Hall.  The third is a drive up drop box located at the driveway exit of our office at 71 E. Hatfield St. You may make your payment by cash, check or money order. A check or money order is recommended when using our night drop.

Customers can also sign up for Direct Debit with Massena Electric.  With Direct Debit, payments are automatically deducted from your checking account each month.

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Q. My bill is higher than usual, have your rates increased?

No, our rates have not increased. Any inflation in your bill may be due to an increase in your consumption (click here to review a chart displaying electricity consumption). A contributing factor is the amount of days in your billing period. The interruption of reading meters due to severe weather and holidays may impact the number of days in a billing period.

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Q. Our usage is way down but our bill is still high?

As a commercial or industrial customer you pay a minimum demand charge. Your demand charge may reflect your "peak usage" which is your highest rate of consumption within your last twelve months of service.

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The PPAC serves as a way to recover the cost of supplemental power purchased by Massena Electric.  The PPAC fluctuates monthly, and is adjusted up and down based on the power bills received by Massena Electric for supplemental power.  This figure is multiplied by your consumption for the month to arrive at the PPC charge on your bill and is an important part of our rate.  The PPAC allows Massena Electric to recover these continually changing charges, without having to file new rates annually with the Public Service Commission.

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Presently Massena Electric has no generating facilities and must purchase all of the power distributed to its customers.  The power is received through contracts with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York Municipal Power Agency (NYMPA).  The power from NYPA consists of low cost hydro electric from the Niagara Power Project.  NYMPA is a joint action agency made up of 31 Municipal utilities from around New York State.  NYMPA purchases power on behalf of its members through the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).

Massena Electric continues to review a small hydro project on the Grasse River.  The project would produce renewable energy that would meet approximately 5% of MED’s energy needs.  The project will benefit MED’s customers, Massena’s largest employer, and the community by providing a larger waterfront with more opportunities for development and popular recreation activities.  To learn more about this project, please review our Hydro Project section.

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Roughly 85% of the power Massena Electric purchases is “Green Power.”  Almost all of the “Green Power” is hydro electric power purchased from NYPA.  A small portion of the “Green Power” is solar and wind power purchased by NYMPA.   This is more than three times the amount of “Green Power” purchased by investor owned utilities in New York State.

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Q. How much does Massena Electric spend annually on power?

In 2004 Massena Electric spent over $4.8 million on power.  This accounted for 64% of all expenses incurred by Massena Electric.  This number was higher than 2003, when power costs accounted for 60% of all purchases by Massena Electric. 

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