Press Release  New Report: Massachusetts Residents Lost Over $738 Million Through Competitive Electric Supply Contracts Over the Last Decade

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today released her office’s new competitive electric supply report, which revealed that over the last decade, Massachusetts residential customers who switched to competitive supply collectively paid over $738.7 million more on their electric bills than they would have paid if they stayed on basic service.   

The report confirms the long-standing trend of competitive electric suppliers charging low-income customers higher rates than non-low-income customers. From July 2024–June 2025, individual low-income consumers lost an average of $286 annually to the competitive electric supply market, compared to $181 lost by non-low-income consumers. Overall, during this period, residential customers collectively experienced a net loss of $87.4 million. 

“This report demonstrates that the financial harms caused by the competitive supply market – particularly among communities of color and low-income residents – far outweigh any benefits promised to hard-working Massachusetts residents,” said AG Campbell. “Massachusetts families face some of the highest utility costs in the country, and I will continue to work with my partners in the Legislature to find solutions and protect consumers harmed by this predatory industry.”

The Competitive Electric Supply Industry Drives Up Costs for All Ratepayers 

New information collected for the first time in this year’s report demonstrates that the competitive electric supply market affects the rates paid by all ratepayers – even those who do not participate in the competitive supply market – by driving up the cost of bill payment assistance programs.  

Bill payment assistance programs are a critical policy tool designed to support low-income ratepayers who are severely impacted by unaffordable utility bills. These programs are funded by all ratepayers through charges on their utility bills. By overcharging low-income customers, competitive suppliers increase utility bills for all ratepayers and unfairly profit from programs that are designed to serve vulnerable customers. From July 2024–June 2025, competitive suppliers increased the cost of bill assistance programs by $9.6 million.  

Eliminating Only the Worst Actors Won’t Remedy the Consumer Harm

This year’s report confirms that meaningful market reform must involve widespread changes to the practices of all suppliers, not just the most exploitative suppliers. Data from the new report shows that suppliers that charge customers more than 90% above the basic service rate account for only 4.71% of customer losses, while suppliers charging between 10% and 30% above the basic service rate account for more than 51% of customer losses. 

As Massachusetts endured another winter of notably cold temperatures and unaffordable household costs, including utility costs, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) continues to support ongoing efforts by the Massachusetts House and Senate, as well as the Healey-Driscoll Administration, to find meaningful ways to regulate the competitive electric supply industry and to strengthen protections for consumers harmed by these products.

Any resident with concerns about competitive electric suppliers should file a complaint with the AG’s Office or call the consumer hotline at (617) 727-8400. Residents with questions can also contact the Consumer Division of the Department of Public Utilities at (877) 886-5066. To learn more about the individual electric supply market, including FAQs and prior reports issued by the AG’s Office, visit https://www.mass.gov/competitive-electric-supply.  

This matter is being handled by Division Chief Matt Saunders, Deputy Division Chief Allie O’Connell, Senior Advisor for Climate and Energy Benny Meshoulam, and Assistant Attorney General Terrance Vales of the AGO’s Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division.  

###