INFORMATION FOR POLICYMAKERS

Electricity consumers in Massachusetts deserve to be able to choose their electric supplier based on factors important to them. That is why the legislature created the competitive market, to offer consumers a choice and to move away from the utility monopoly system.

The Massachusetts Electric Industry Restructuring Act of 1997 created electric retail competition and allowed a variety of providers to sell electricity supply and other services to Massachusetts consumers. But today, electricity sales statewide continue to be dominated by the utilities, who act as gatekeepers to the marketplace.

Maintaining and improving electricity choice gives Massachusetts residents options that are more affordable, renewable, and innovative.

• Affordable. Last winter, under the utility companies, Massachusetts customers saw the largest electric rate increase in recent memory. The truth is if consumers had switched to residential electric rates prior to last winter, they would have saved about $1 billion.
• Renewable. Eliminating electricity choice would eliminate many renewable options for customers. For instance, retail electric suppliers offer 100% renewable energy plans, products for electric vehicles, and smart home technologies. No utility offers that.
• Competitive. A competitive retail market offers more choices for consumers to find products that fit their budgets, priorities, and values. True energy choice drives market and product innovation while making energy options more affordable.

Now is not the time to eliminate choice, it’s time to provide real electricity choice to everyone in Massachusetts. That’s why Choose Who You Use is advocating to:

• Increase awareness of options not offered by the utilities, including renewable energy options and charitable energy plans.
• Promote transparency and access to technologies that give customers greater control over their energy usage and billing.
• Increase awareness of options that will give customers the freedom to choose a plan that fits their budget.

We are eager to partner with key stakeholders as this conversation continues and hope to work together to improve access to electric supplier options for consumers.