MELD News
Middleton Electric Light Dept. News
The Middleton Electric Light Dept. is always working in our ratepayers' best interests. Here are some of our latest projects, initiatives, partnerships and announcements.
MELD Commissioner Ken Rollins Named NEPPA's 2026 Person of the Year
(August 27, 2026) The Middleton Electric Light Department (MELD) is proud to celebrate Commissioner Ken "Kenny" Rollins, who has been named the 2026 Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA) Person of the Year.
For those who know Kenny, this honor comes as no surprise. For nearly five decades, Kenny has dedicated his career to serving communities through public power, spending more than 30 years helping keep the lights on right here in Middleton. Whether restoring power after major storms, mentoring the next generation of lineworkers, or serving the public through utility leadership, Kenny has always put service before self.
The NEPPA Person of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their utility, their community, and the public power industry throughout New England. Kenny's career exemplifies exactly that.
A Career Built on Service
Kenny joined MELD in June 1990 as a First-Class Lineman and quickly became a familiar and trusted face in town. Over the years, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including Crew Leader, Line Foreman, and Facilities Coordinator, helping strengthen and maintain Middleton's electric system while ensuring reliable service for residents and businesses.
His commitment extended far beyond town borders. Kenny answered the call during countless emergency restoration efforts throughout New England and traveled to assist communities recovering from devastating storms in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. His willingness to help others, often on short notice and under difficult conditions, earned him the respect of colleagues across the public power industry.
Still Serving Middleton
Even after retiring from full-time linework in 2023, Kenny wasn't ready to step away from public service. In 2025, Middleton voters elected him as a MELD Commissioner, allowing him to continue giving back to the utility and community he helped build throughout his career.
Today, Kenny also shares his knowledge as an instructor for NEPPA, teaching safety and technical training programs for utility professionals across New England. His dedication to mentoring others helps ensure that the values of safety, teamwork, and public service continue for future generations.
A Lasting Impact
Those who have worked alongside Kenny often describe him as someone who embodies the very best of public power: hard work, humility, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. From climbing poles and restoring power during storms to helping guide utility policy and train the next generation, Kenny's impact can be seen throughout Middleton and across the region.
As one colleague put it, "Kenny truly represents the best of NEPPA and public power."
Congratulations, Kenny.
On behalf of the entire MELD family, we congratulate Kenny on this well-earned recognition and thank him for his 47 years of dedicated service.
Middleton is fortunate to have benefited from his leadership, expertise, and commitment to community, and we are proud to see him honored on the regional stage.
Read this story on the American Public Power (APPA) website »
2026 Progress Toward Sourcing More Middleton Electric Power from Clean Sources
(February 26, 2026) MELD recently achieved another step in our goal of acquiring more clean, affordable sources for Middleton’s electricity when we joined with 21 other New England municipal electric companies in a landmark Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for clean, cost-competitive hydropower.
This shared Power Purchase Agreement will result in 197 gigawatt hours of hydropower energy generated by FirstLight hydroelectric facilities located right here in Massachusetts! This expanded PPA extends through 2040 and will provide enough energy to support the power demands of approximately 20,000 MA homes and help MELD come closer achieving our goal of obtaining at least 50% of our power supply from carbon-free resources by 2030.
MELD TEAM WINS IN NEPPA LINEMAN RODEO
We would like to thank and recognize Middleton Electric Light Department's linemen who participated in the recent Northeast Public Power Association's 17th Annual Lineworkers Rodeo. This year's event was held in Hull.
During the course of 3 1/2 days, over 250 public power professionals came to Hull for utility operations, safety, engineering, and management conference sessions, golfing, and the Lineman Rodeo that featured the safe work practices and skills of 16 different teams.
- Hurtman Rescue: 2nd place
- Obstacle Course: 1st place
- 7.2Kv Insulator Changeout: 1st place
- Pole Climb with Bell: 2nd place
Overall, MELD linemen placed second! Congratulations and thank you to team members Bryan Jackson, Matt Beede, and Mike Beskid.
MELD RECOGNIZED FOR AGAIN FOR 2025 RELIABILITY
(April 17, 2025) Middleton Electric Light Department has been recognized by the American Public Power Association for excellence in uptime and reliability for 2024. MELD again has significantly exceeded the 5-year average for all U.S. electric utilities for service reliability and uptime. Thank you for your support and for being a customer! MELD Management, Office Staff, Linemen, and Light Board members appreciate you.
MELD RECOGNIZED FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE RELIABILITY
(April 23, 2024) Middleton Electric Light Department has been recognized by the American Public Power Association for excellence in uptime and reliability. MELD has significantly exceeded the 5-year average for all U.S. electric utilities for service reliability and uptime. Thank you for your support and for being a customer! MELD Management, Office Staff, Linemen, and Light Board members appreciate you.
Rate Gives MELD Customers a New Option!
(February 21, 2023) MELD continues to pursue our plan to meet Municipal Lighting Plant Greenhouse Gas Emission Standard (MLP-GGES) goals and offer our customers sustainable solutions. Our new Renewable Energy Choice rate offers all MELD customers the opportunity to have 100% of your electricity come from renewable energy sources! Learn more about this program.
National Lineman Appreciation Day 2022
Monday, April 18th was National Lineman Appreciation Day. Everyone at Middleton Electric Light Department — our Management, Board of Light Commissioners, and Staff express our appreciation for the 24/7, in-all-weather service of MELD's Linemen. We're proud of and appreciate you!
The 113th Congress passed a bill designating every April 18th as National Lineman Appreciation Day in 2013 (after 2012's Hurricane Sandy). Read about the observance, watch videos — and remember to thank a MELD line crew member every April 18th!
MELD Observed National Drive Electric Week: Sept. 25-Oct. 3, 2021
MELD threw the spotlight on Carbon Reduction and Massachusetts’ Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction during National Drive Electric Week from Sept. 25th-Oct. 3rd.
National Drive Electric Week is an annual countrywide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of All-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, and more. Customers could go to Drive Electric Events nearby—an opportunity to participate in an in-person or online event to learn from happy EV owners.
Middleton Electric Light Department Reopens Our Offices to The Public
(June 1, 2021) MELD General Manager, Michael Cloutier and the MELD Light Board are happy to announce that, per Governor Baker's orders, we have reopened MELD Offices to public access effective June 1, 2021.
On May 29, Governor Charlie Baker joined Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to sign an Executive Order terminating the Commonwealth’s State of Emergency effective June 15, 2021. The Order also rescinds most COVID-19 restrictions, including limitations placed on businesses, as of May 29, as Massachusetts neared the goal of vaccinating four million residents. Last week, the Commonwealth passed the 3.5 million mark for fully vaccinated residents.
MELD thanks all our customers for working with us through the very challenging year of the pandemic.
COVID-19 CREW APPRECIATION!
(March 2021) Michael Cloutier, MELD Manager & The MELD Light Board want to express their deep appreciate for, and salute our hardworking crew during this past year's COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you to all for your tireless work on behalf of Middleton's electric customers!
—Michael Cloutier, MELD Manager & The MELD Light Board
MELD Recognized by The American Public Power Association (APPA) for Valuable Hurricane Assistance
(September 2020) We were awarded a National Commendation from the American Public Power Association for our efforts to restore power in Wallingford, Connecticut, after Hurricane Isaias in August 2020. Read the story from The Salem News.
Middleton Electric Light Department joins 20 public power entities from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont In the largest municipal electric department purchase of clean, renewable power in New England history
Thanks to the MELD General Manager and Commissioners (pictured with flag flown over Omaha Beach), Middleton Electric Light Department became greener today with a record clean energy purchase power agreement from First Light Power Hydro facility. Middleton Electric Light Department joins 20 other public power entities from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
MELD has interconnected a 3 Mw / 6.6 Mwh battery that stores generated solar power to maximize the environmental benefits of the solar array
The battery is filled during the day with solar power. It can then be strategically released later when demand and prices are higher. This peak shaving scenario reduces the stress on the regional electrical system. During these peak times, more generators are called into service to meet the higher load. By dispatching the battery, we can reduce the amount of energy needed by those plants, thereby reducing additional pollution.
Middleton Electric Light Department solar project receives a national award from the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
The Middleton solar project received a national award from the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) in 2019. SEPA recognized us as having installed the sixth most solar power per customer (1,358.9 w/customer) in the entire United States during 2018 when the array was commissioned. Since then, MELD has interconnected a 3 Mw / 6.6 Mwh battery that harnesses the solar power to dispatch it more efficiently in order to curtail power plant emissions.
Middleton Drives Electric!
A plug-in electric car now offers excellent performance and efficiency at an increasingly affordable cost. Middleton Drives Electric is an outreach program to inform the electric utility customer about the savings and benefits that come from choosing an electric car and charging it at home overnight. Learn about the Savings and Benefits that can come from choosing an Electric Car and Charging it at Home Overnight with this New Program!
Middleton Electric Light Department has Partnered with Energy New England to Save Customers Energy and Money
Energy Efficiency just became more affordable for Middleton Electric Light Department customers with new and generous rebates and incentives. Explore the 3 great opportunities below. ENE provides comprehensive conservation services to municipal utility residential customers. Their highly-trained and experienced staff can offer you expert advice and energy savings recommendations.