Many citizens across Massachusetts shop around for their electric rate. Customers can choose from their current supplier, a municipal supplier, or an independent company. Unfortunately, the freedom to pick your electricity rate and terms may cease to exist very soon. State legislatures will be convening in the coming days to discuss the possibility of passing a bill removing a residential property owner’s right to shop around for an electric rate.
The text of the proposed bill is as stated:
Bill S.2106
“SECTION 1. Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 1K the following section:
Section 1L. Beginning on January 1, 2024, no supplier, energy marketer, or energy broker shall execute a new contract for generation services with any individual residential retail customer. This provision shall not apply to, or otherwise affect, any government body that aggregates the load of residential retail customers as part of a municipal aggregation plan pursuant to chapter 164, § 134. Any violation of this provision shall be deemed an unfair and deceptive act pursuant to the provisions of chapter 93A, and the attorney general is hereby authorized to bring an action under section 4 of chapter 93A to enforce this provision and to obtain restitution, civil penalties, injunctive relief, and any other relief awarded pursuant to said chapter 93A.”
If that bill doesn’t pass for 2024, don’t worry; one is ready for 2025:
Bill H.3196
“SECTION 1. Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 1K the following section:
Section 1L. Beginning on January 1, 2025, no supplier, energy marketer, or energy broker shall execute a new contract for generation services with any individual residential retail customer. This provision shall not apply to, or otherwise affect, any government body that aggregates the load of residential retail customers as part of a municipal aggregation plan pursuant to chapter 164, § 134. Any violation of this provision shall be deemed an unfair and deceptive act pursuant to the provisions of chapter 93A, and the attorney general is hereby authorized to bring an action under section 4 of chapter 93A to enforce this provision and to obtain restitution, civil penalties, injunctive relief, and any other relief awarded pursuant to said chapter 93A.”
As you can see, both proposed bills are worded the same, except for the enforcement dates. If the 2024 bill doesn’t pass, the backup bill is ready for 2025. There is a scheduled hearing for these bills on September 21, 2023.
If you oppose this legislation, please get in touch with your local and state representatives and let them know.
If this bill passes, all residential customers will have zero freedom to choose how much to pay for electricity costs.
For more information on contacting your local legislature, please click the link: https://malegislature.gov/StateHouse/Contact.
by Charlie W.
Sources:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2106
Massachusetts First 
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