Competitive Electric Supply

The Attorney General’s Office has found that Massachusetts residential consumers pay high rates for competitive electric supply. Learn more about the competitive electric supply market and find resources to help with questions or problems.

On March 29, 2018, the Attorney General’s Office released a report that found that Massachusetts residential consumers paid competitive electric suppliers $176.8 million more than they would have paid for electricity from their utility between July, 2015 – June, 2017. The report also found that low-income consumers are more likely to sign-up for competitive supply and are more likely to be charged higher rates.

On August 1, 2019, the Attorney General’s Office released an updated report ("2019 Update") that found that Massachusetts residential consumers paid competitive electric suppliers $76.2 million more than they would have paid for electricity from their utility between July 2017 – June 2018. The 2019 Update also found that low-income households who directly contract with a supplier continue to be disproportionately harmed.

On April 1, 2021, the Attorney General’s Office released an updated report (“2021 Update”) that found that Massachusetts residential consumers paid competitive electric suppliers $173 million more than they would have paid for electricity from their utility between July 2018 – June 2020. As of the date of the 2021 Update, the total net losses for Massachusetts residents of the course of the five-year study period (July 2015 – June 2020) was $426 million. The 2021 Update also found that low-income households who directly contract with a supplier continue to be disproportionately harmed.

In May 2023, the Attorney General’s Office released an updated report (“2023 Update”) that found that Massachusetts residential customers paid competitive electric suppliers $99.5 million more than they would have paid for electricity from their utility between July 2020–June 2021. As of the date of the 2023 Update, the total net losses for Massachusetts residents over the course of the six-year study period (July 2015–June 2021) was $525 million. The 2023 Update also found that low-income households who directly contract with a supplier continue to be disproportionately harmed.

In March 2024, the Attorney General’s Office released an updated report (“2024 Update”) that found that Massachusetts residential customers paid competitive electric suppliers $51.8 million more than they would have paid for electricity from their utility between July 2021–June 2023. As of the date of the 2024 Update, the total net losses for Massachusetts residents over the course of the eight-year study period (July 2015–June 2023) was $577 million. The 2024 Update also found that low-income households who directly contract with a supplier continue to be disproportionately harmed.

In order to prevent further harm, the Attorney General has called for an end to the individual residential electric supply market. The Attorney General filed legislation in January 2023 that would ban suppliers from contracting directly with residential customers. The legislation would not change Massachusetts’ cities and towns municipal aggregation programs or the markets for commercial and industrial electric supply.

If you are in a dispute with a competitive electric supplier, you can file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's Office.

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback