How electricity choice works in Massachusetts
Customers of the state’s investor-owned electric companies may purchase electricity supply from a competitive supplier licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The utility still delivers the power. If you do not choose a competitive supplier, you continue to receive supply from your electric company. That default product is called Basic Service (the DPU also describes it as Fixed Basic Service).
The official shopping site is Energy Switch Massachusetts. Your bill has two parts: supply (the electricity itself) and delivery (the poles, wires, metering, and related charges). A switch of suppliers changes the supply portion. Delivery stays with the utility. Peoples Power Choice can review a recent bill and present current fixed-rate options. We do not publish rates here, and we do not quote variable or teaser prices.
Which utilities are in the competitive market
The DPU identifies three investor-owned electric companies that deliver electricity in Massachusetts:
- Eversource
- National Grid
- Unitil
Customers of those companies can shop for competitive supply, remain on Basic Service, or, in many cities and towns, take supply through a municipal aggregation if the community has one. Municipal aggregation is a town- or city-organized supply program; you can usually stay in it, return to Basic Service, or choose a different supplier. If you already have a contract or an aggregation, share the bill and the end date so we can review it carefully.
Municipal light plants are different. The DPU lists 41 municipal light plants that serve all or part of 50 municipalities. An MLP provides both distribution and supply, and its rates are set by municipal officials. The DPU’s role in regulating MLPs is limited, and those customers are not in the same competitive-supply market as Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil customers. If your bill is from a municipal light plant, tell us in the chat or call 855-330-3580 and we will be clear about what we can and cannot do.
What your utility still does
Your electric company remains responsible for delivering electricity, maintaining the local system, metering, and billing for delivery. Only the utility is authorized to connect or disconnect service. If the lights go out, you call the utility, not the competitive supplier. You may receive one combined bill or two bills, depending on the supplier; smaller accounts often see supply and delivery on the utility bill.
How a broker helps with shopping and renewals
Peoples Power Choice is independent. We shop licensed suppliers for fixed-rate contracts, help you compare an offer with your current supply arrangement, and watch contract end dates and automatic-renewal terms. Massachusetts customers should always ask whether a price is fixed or variable, how long the term lasts, whether the contract auto-renews, and whether there is an early-termination fee. We quote fixed rates only.
Start a chat with Optimus — it will open already set to Massachusetts — upload a recent bill, or call 855-330-3580. A specialist follows up with current fixed-rate options only. Leads go to info@peoplespowerchoice.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my electricity supplier in Massachusetts?
Yes, if Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil delivers your power. You may choose a DPU-licensed competitive supplier, stay on the utility’s Basic Service, or participate in a municipal aggregation if your city or town has one. Customers of municipal light plants receive both delivery and supply from the MLP and are not in that same shopping market.
What is Basic Service?
Basic Service is the electricity supply your investor-owned utility provides if you do not choose a competitive supplier. Delivery of the power still comes from that same utility either way.
If I switch suppliers, who do I call for an outage?
Call your electric utility — Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil. The utility still delivers the electricity and is the only company authorized to connect or disconnect service. A competitive supplier provides the supply portion of the bill, not outage response.
How does a Massachusetts energy broker help, and do you show rates here?
Peoples Power Choice reviews your bill and current contract dates, then presents fixed-rate options from licensed suppliers. We do not publish or invent rates on this page or in the Ask Optimus chat. Start a Massachusetts chat, upload a bill, or call 855-330-3580.
Official sources
These are the government and utility references used for this page. They are the best place to confirm whether your address can shop.
- Mass.gov — electric supply options — DPU and Attorney General explainer on competitive suppliers, Basic Service, and that only the utility can disconnect service
- Mass.gov — understanding your electric bill — identifies Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil as the three investor-owned delivery companies and explains supply versus delivery
- Energy Switch Massachusetts — the DPU’s official competitive-supply shopping website
- Mass.gov — municipally owned electric companies — MLPs provide both distribution and supply; DPU regulation is limited and rates are set by municipal officials
- Mass.gov — information for competitive suppliers and electricity brokers — licensing, Energy Switch registration, and municipal aggregation resources
Other state guides
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
- New York
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Connecticut