Baker-Polito Administration Launches New Shopping Website for
Electric Supply Products
Interactive Tool Will Allow Electricity Customers to Compare Competitive Suppliers
BOSTON – October 31, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the launch ofEnergy Switch Massachusetts, an interactive online tool which will provide product information to residential and small business electricity consumers who seek to purchase their electric supply from the competitive market. The website is part of an ongoing effort by state officials to help consumers manage their energy costs and follows the recent release of the Commonwealth Energy Tool for Savings (energyCENTS), a web platform for the Commonwealth’s ratepayers to search available energy saving opportunities like energy rebates, incentives, loans, and tax credits.
“Energy Switch Massachusetts will empower residents to make their own choices about where they get their energy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This tool will not only allow residents to choose a price and contract length that works best for them, but also choose how much of their electricity is produced by renewable energy resources.”
“This new resource for residents and small businesses will reduce barriers to residential participation in the competitive electricity supply market,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Today’s announcement reflects our administration’s commitment to protecting ratepayers and ensuring the electric supply market is fair and competitive.”
The Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU) new website allows licensed competitive suppliers to list multiple products to allow consumers to select the supply product that best meets their needs. Shoppers will be able to compare products based on price, length of contract, renewable energy resource content, and additional products and services. The website also provides increased transparency into costs, such as cancellation fees, and provides an estimated monthly cost for each of the products listed on the website. Website users can filter and compare products on Energy Switch Massachusetts, and ultimately transfer to a competitive supplier’s website to purchase the electric supply product of their choice.
“Energy Switch Massachusetts will make it easier for residents and small businesses to compare competitive electric product offerings and remove barriers to a more robust competitive electric supply market,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is dedicated to ensuring ratepayers’ rights are protected and they are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost.”
The electric service provided to residential and business customers in the Commonwealth is composed of two components: (1) supply service, which is the electricity commodity that we use to power our homes and businesses, and (2) delivery service, which is the transport of electricity from the source of its generation to our homes and businesses. Customers of investor-owned local electric distribution companies can purchase their electric supply service from any competitive supplier licensed by DPU. Customers who do not choose to receive supply service from a competitive supplier receive a product called basic service from their local electric distribution company.
“Energy Switch Massachusetts is part of DPU’s ongoing efforts to help ensure that customers can make informed decisions about competitive electric supply products,” said DPU Chairman Angela M. O’Connor. “With this new website, we are empowering customers with accurate and transparent information that allows them to find an electric supply plan that’s right for their home or business.”
DPU will accept feedback from users and is committed to ongoing improvements to Energy Switch Massachusetts to meet the needs of website users.
“This new website offers a one-stop shopping destination where residents and businesses can compare electricity prices and all the options available to them to make more informed decisions,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “Energy Switch Massachusetts will empower consumers by helping them find the best possible deal that meets their energy needs at a price they can afford.”
“The market now provides consumers with the power to make important choices for the benefit of household budgets and our environment, and having good information is the key to making the best choices,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Through this site, appropriate information will be easily available when it’s needed, making the power to choose even stronger.”
“Massachusetts consumers have a rich variety of suppliers from which they can purchase their electricity,” stated State Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “Equally important is DPU’s new website, Energy Switch Massachusetts, which allows consumers to easily compare prices, choose renewable energy, and find electricity plans that fit their use.”
“Competition among energy providers is good for consumers, but the marketplace can be confusing and bad actors can exploit that,” said State Senator Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield). “These steps by the DPU are helpful in making the marketplace one that works for consumers first and foremost.”
“Transparency in the marketplace helps consumers make better choices. This new interface empowers ratepayers to make more informed purchases of energy,” said State Representative Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose), Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications Utilities and Energy. “I’m glad that consumers will be able to consult this resource and quickly compare the merits and prices of different electricity suppliers.”
