Lawmakers Hear Evidence of Higher Bills, Predatory Sales as They Consider Ban or Reform of Third‑Party Electric Suppliers

BOSTON — The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy heard hours of testimony June 4 on H3534 and S2255, legislation titled "an act relative to electric ratepayer protections" that would sharply limit or ban residential contracts with third‑party electric suppliers.

Proponents including the state Attorney General's Office, municipal leaders and consumer advocates told the committee that data show many residential customers pay substantially more under third‑party contracts than they would on the utilities’ basic service, and that aggressive marketing has concentrated enrollments in low‑income and environmental‑justice neighborhoods. "Electricity is an essential service," said Liz Anderson, chief of the Energy and Ratepayer Advocacy Division in the Attorney General's Office. "This market seriously undermines the state's objectives to keep utility bills affordable for all residents and to address historical inequities." She and others urged either a ban on residential third‑party supply or substantial reforms including bans on automatic contract…