The final step toward cheaper energy is in the works.

Town Administrator David Cressman said that, earlier this month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities granted approval for Dartmouth’s energy aggregation plan. Now that the program has state approval, Good Energy, an energy consulting firm working to establish the program, can take bids from energy suppliers.

Dartmouth will be one of 23 communities taking part in the Community Energy Aggregation program, which could save residents $80 to $120 per year on their energy bills.

“All the communities now have approval. This has moved us to the next phase, which is to consider going out to bid for the energy aggregation contract to provide electric supply agreements to the residents in the 23 communities,” said Cressman.

On Monday night, the Select Board appointed Cressman as the representative to sit in during the bidding process. The process will involve a representative from each of the communities.

“The other thing we’re going to be discussing in the next week and trying to come to a decision on is some form of green energy option. This would allow individual residents to make some of their purchases of electricity from sources of renewable energy,” said Cressman.

The program, which was approved by a vote during a Special Town Meeting in March, would allow the 11,000 households of Dartmouth to join up with 180,000 other households and businesses in Massachusetts to purchase energy at a bulk rate. Residents will be automatically enrolled in the program.

For those who wish to not join the program, an opt out letter will be sent through the mail.

Since early 2014, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District has been working with Good Energy to establish the program.

A show regarding the aggregate energy program is available on DCTV’s YouTube channel.