Consumers and companies thank legislators for protecting the energy choice of half a million customers
July 25, 2022 (BOSTON) – Lawmakers working to combine House and Senate energy bills decided to scrap their plan to end the retail electric market throughout the state, a move that would have reinstated electric utility monopolies.
The news comes only a week after more than 1,200 Massachusetts residents signed a petition in opposition to the measure. Nearly half a million Bay State households exercise their energy choice and shop the retail market.
Many expressed concern that they would no longer be able to sign up for clean energy plans or would lose their ability to shop for the best electricity rates and fixed-rate contracts. Others objected that ending competition would remove the utilities’ incentive to compete through lower prices and better service.
“The proposed closure of the competitive energy market was at odds with the intent of this climate bill as more than three quarters of the retail market offerings are 100% clean energy products with additional innovative products supporting energy efficiency measures and offering discounted residential electric vehicle charging,” said Chris Ercoli, President and CEO of the Retail Energy Advancement League.
“We appreciate lawmakers acting on behalf of almost half a million Massachusetts customers who currently shop the market by removing this language and we look forward to continued conversations on how to best expand choice, while protecting the consumer as Massachusetts leads in our transition to a clean energy future.”
In a recent survey, 83% of Bay Staters said they want energy choice and to shop the market as an option. With the market intact, consumers’ choices can continue driving the development of clean energy and benefit from unique products that support the state meeting its clean energy goals, such as free nights and weekends for residential electric vehicle charging.Massachusetts residents can log on to the state Department of Public Utilities’ website, “Energy Switch Massachusetts,” and review terms of different suppliers.
Massachusetts residents can log on to the state Department of Public Utilities’ website, “Energy Switch Massachusetts,” and review terms of different suppliers.
RELEASE MA Market Protected 07252022
