By Bob Katzen

The Senate 34-4, approved and sent to the House a bill that would bar electric suppliers from enrolling new individual residential customers in contracts, beginning on January 1, 2025.

Supporters said the measure would protect residents from unfair and deceptive practices in the competitive electric supply market. They noted that according to the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Public Utilities, data analysis shows that consumers lost more than $577 million to competitive electric suppliers between July 2015 and June 2023. They added that low-income residents and residents of color are disproportionately affected by the industry by being more likely to sign up, and subsequently being charged higher rates.

“Each year, the broken and predatory residential competitive electric supply industry harms consumers across Massachusetts – particularly in low-income communities and communities of color and fails in its promise to consistently provide consumer savings,” said Attorney General Andrea Campbell a sponsor of the original version of the bill. “I now urge the House to take up and pass this legislation so that Massachusetts residents are protected from this deceptive and harmful industry.”

“The market would benefit from total reform, not elimination of newer energy suppliers/brokers,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) who opposed the bill. “A competitive market is healthy for the economy and by implementing strategy that would hold these energy suppliers accountable, it would be beneficial to all parties involved.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes