DPU electric competitive supply team

The Details   of Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

What you need   for Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

Competitive suppliers and electricity brokers should mail: 

  1. a complete paper copy of the application (the DPU will not review applications that do not include the supplier and broker training certificate or do not demonstrate technical of financial ability (for example, NEPOOL participation for suppliers and supplier agreement information for brokers))
  2. a $100 check made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (we cannot accept other forms of payment)

Competitive suppliers and electricity brokers must also email an electronic copy of the application to:

  1. dpu.electricsupply@mass.gov, and
  2. mark.marini@mass.gov

If you are requesting that some information in the application be kept confidential, you must also provide:

  1. a motion for protective treatment
  2. an unredacted copy of the materials for which protection is sought (with each page marked confidential)
  3. a redacted (or public) copy of the materials

Fees   for Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

Name Fee Unit
Competitive supplier and electricity broker application for new applicants $100 per license application

How to apply   Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

Download the applicable form below and mail all of the information to:

Department of Public Utilities
c/o Mark D. Marini, Secretary
One South Station, 3rd floor
Boston, MA 02110

You must also email an electronic copy of the application to:

  1. dpu.electricsupply@mass.gov, and
  2. mark.marini@mass.gov 

Next steps   for Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

Requirements to remain licensed

After receiving a license, competitive suppliers and electricity brokers must:

  1. File updated information to the DPU within 30 days of any material change in its license information. 220 CMR 11.05(2).
  2. Submit a yearly renewal application by July 1 if it wishes to remain licensed. D.P.U. 19-07-C220 CMR 11.05(2).

Competitive suppliers must also: 

  1. Submit disclosure labels to customers on a quarterly basis. 220 CMR 11.06(2).   
  2. Send an annual customer rights booklet to its customers.  G.L. c.164 § 1F(4)(i) and 220 CMR 11.06(5).
  3. Submit reports and notices to the DPU and customers. D.P.U. 19-07-A.

More info   for Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

  1. What is the difference between a competitive supplier and an electricity broker? 
    • The Department defines a competitive supplier as an entity licensed to sell electricity and related services to retail customers.  220 CMR 11.02.  A competitive supplier purchases electricity and related services from the wholesale electricity markets for resale to customers.
    • The Department defines an electricity broker as an entity licensed to facilitate or otherwise arrange for the purchase and sale of electricity and related services to customers, but does not sell electricity.  220 CMR 11.02.  An electricity broker acts as a conduit between competitive suppliers and customers.
  2. If a competitive supplier or broker only wants to serve residential customers through municipal aggregation, what type of license does the company need?
    • To serve residential customers through municipal aggregation, you only need a commercial and industrial license.  In the license application question asking for more details about the services that you intend to provide, indicate that you intend to only serve residential customers through municipal aggregation.  To serve additional residential customers outside of a municipal aggregation, you would have to apply for a residential and commercial and industrial license.
  3. Are there trainings that a competitive supplier or electricity broker license applicant must attend?  
    • Yes.  All competitive suppliers and electricity brokers must attend the free supplier/broker training via conference call.  Competitive suppliers and electricity brokers must complete the mandatory training and will receive a certificate from the electric company after the training.  This certificate must be submitted with the original license application.  The applicant must complete only 1 of the monthly trainings and can select any of the training dates.  
    • To sign up for the training, contact the sponsoring electric company contact person listed on the training schedule.  The training schedule is available under the "Related" section at the top of this page.
  4. Must the customer service telephone number on the application, be toll-free?
  5. Is a competitive supplier or electricity broker license applicant allowed to provide services to customers while its application is pending with the DPU?
    • No.  To provide services to customers in Massachusetts, you must first be licensed by the DPU.
  6. How can I see applications that other suppliers and brokers have submitted to the DPU?
    • As of July 1, 2020 supplier and broker applications are available on the file room.  If you want a copy of a supplier or broker's application prior to July 1, 2020 you will need to submit a record request.

Downloads   for Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

Contact   for Apply for a competitive supplier or electricity broker license

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