Molly Ayala
Boston is a major metropolis in New England with a population of nearly 700,000 people. The city is divided into several neighbourhoods, including the North End, and has a bustling, urban lifestyle. Boston's energy market is deregulated, meaning residents have the option to choose their electricity rates and suppliers. The utility serving Boston is Eversource Energy, which delivers electricity to around 207,000 customers in the city. Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) is a municipal aggregation program that gives Bostonians greater control over their electricity supply, allowing them to choose from a range of plans, including renewable energy options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the electric company | Eversource Energy |
| Customer service number | 800-286-2000 |
| Website | www.eversource.com |
| Area served | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Customer base | 207,000 customers |
| Area covered | 1,500 square miles |
| Electricity options | Basic Service, Green 100, Optional Basic |
| Opt-out option | Available |
| Opt-out number | 855-402-5868 |
| Opt-out email | N/A |
| Opt-out fee | None |
| Electricity rates | Change twice a year or more |
| Cheapest rates | End of spring |
| Highest rates | Middle of summer, autumn, beginning of winter |
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What You'll Learn
Boston's deregulated energy market
Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, is a highly urbanised area with a population of around 670,000 people. The city has a deregulated energy market, which means that energy consumers are not forced to pay the basic service rate for electricity offered by the local utility company. Instead, they can choose from a range of alternative electricity buying options and shop for a lower-priced or more eco-friendly plan. This competitive electricity supplier marketplace was introduced through energy deregulation, which opened up the supply component of electricity to competition.
In a deregulated market, retail energy providers (REPs) can offer services, products, and customer service related to electricity supply. While customers still rely on a utility for energy delivery and maintenance, they can choose their energy supplier. This competition incentivises REPs to keep their rates low and reasonable to attract and retain customers. If a customer is unhappy, they have the freedom to switch to another provider, which is not possible in a regulated market.
Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) is a municipal aggregation program that gives Bostonians greater control over their electricity supply. It is the largest program of its kind in Massachusetts, with 195 programs across the state. BCCE allows the city to secure electricity at a competitive rate by leveraging its collective buying power to provide affordable and renewable electricity to its customers. BCCE offers three plans, including the Standard plan (39% renewable energy), the Green 100 plan, and the lower-cost Optional Basic plan.
The City of Boston is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and reducing carbon emissions through the electricity it purchases for its customers. The Community Choice Electricity program supports this goal by increasing the amount of renewable energy on the regional grid and prioritising local renewable sources.
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Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE)
As a BCCE customer, Eversource will continue to handle electricity delivery, customer billing and service, meter reads, and power outages. BCCE offers three plans for customers to choose from: the Standard plan, the Green 100 plan, and the lower-cost Optional Basic plan. Eversource Basic Service supply customers are automatically enrolled in the BCCE Standard plan, which includes 39% renewable energy. Customers have the option to opt-up to the Green 100 plan or opt-down to the Optional Basic plan at any time. New Basic Service customers are mailed a notification letter quarterly, giving them the opportunity to opt-out of BCCE or choose a plan with more renewables.
The BCCE program helps Boston work towards its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The program prioritizes purchasing renewable electricity to support new renewable energy projects and reduce carbon emissions. It also aims to deliver benefits and economic opportunities to socially vulnerable communities that are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.
BCCE is designed to be a reliable and not-for-profit electricity option for Boston residents. The program intends to set low-cost electric rates that remain fixed over extended periods, allowing residents to plan their monthly household budgets more effectively. BCCE is an opt-out program, and customers can choose to leave the program at any time without incurring any charges or fees.
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Eversource Energy
In Boston, Eversource Energy is the default electricity provider for those enrolled in the Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) program. BCCE is a municipal aggregation program that allows the city to secure electricity at competitive rates and provide its residents and businesses with affordable and renewable energy options. Eversource Energy handles electricity delivery, billing, meter reads, and power outages for BCCE customers.
Despite Eversource Energy's efforts to improve grid reliability, the company has faced criticism and regulatory investigations. Eversource has been accused of implementing anti-solar policies and attempting to cap rooftop solar growth in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is investigating the company for potentially discriminatory transmission rates.
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Energy rates and plans
Boston has a deregulated energy market, which means that residents have the option to choose their energy supplier and plan. The local utility company in Boston is called Eversource Energy, which delivers electricity to residents' homes and bills them for it. However, residents can choose from a variety of different suppliers and plans to suit their needs and preferences.
Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) is a municipal aggregation program that allows the city to secure electricity at a competitive rate. BCCE offers three plans: the Standard plan, the Green 100 plan, and the Optional Basic plan. The Standard plan is the default option for Eversource Basic Service customers, who are automatically enrolled in BCCE on a quarterly basis. The Green 100 plan is a 100% clean energy plan sourced from the New England area, while the Optional Basic plan is a lower-cost option.
Other suppliers in Boston include Constellation Energy, Clearview Energy, Direct Energy, and Public Power. These suppliers offer a range of different plans with varying rates, lengths, and termination fees. It is recommended that residents compare the different plans and suppliers to find the most suitable and cost-effective option for them.
Additionally, residents can choose between a 100% clean plan backed by renewable sources or a mixed plan backed by part renewables and part fossil fuels. By choosing a clean plan, residents can support the addition of more solar power to the energy grid, fighting climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Energy rates in Boston fluctuate, with the cheapest rates typically offered at the end of spring and the highest rates in the middle of summer, autumn, and the beginning of winter. Therefore, switching providers or plans at the right time can help reduce electricity costs.
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Boston's energy goals
Boston has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. The city has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. To meet these targets, Boston has implemented various initiatives and strategies, such as the Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) program, which offers residents and businesses more control over their electricity options, including renewable energy plans.
The BCCE is a municipal aggregation program that leverages the city's collective buying power to secure competitive and affordable electricity rates for its customers. It provides three plans: the Standard plan (39% renewable energy), the Green 100 plan (100% clean energy), and the lower-cost Optional Basic plan. Customers can opt-in, out, up, or down between these plans at any time without contracts or fees. The BCCE program is managed by Eversource, which handles electricity delivery, billing, meter reads, and power outages.
Boston is also focusing on reducing emissions from buildings and transportation systems. The Building Energy Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance 2.0 (BERDO 2.0) targets commercial and residential buildings, requiring larger structures to meet emissions caps and report their water and energy usage annually. The Go Boston 2030 plan includes strategies for sustainable transportation, aiming for a 50% reduction in transportation-related GHG emissions by 2030 from 2005 levels.
Additionally, Boston promotes the construction of energy-efficient green buildings through the E+ Green Building program. This initiative seeks to advance industry practices and public awareness of energy efficiency and has already completed three prototype projects. The city also encourages the use of solar power through initiatives that offer discounts and credits to residents who support solar farm operations, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Overall, Boston's energy goals are centered around reducing carbon emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and providing affordable and sustainable options for its residents and businesses. The city actively involves its community in decision-making and strives to educate and engage tenants and landlords in achieving these sustainability goals.
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Frequently asked questions
The utility serving Boston is Eversource Energy, which also delivers natural gas to customers.
The BCCE program gives Bostonians greater control over the electricity that powers their homes. It allows the City to secure electricity at a competitive rate and provides affordable and renewable electricity to the program's customers.
New Basic Service customers are mailed a notification letter on a quarterly basis giving them the opportunity to opt in or out of the BCCE program. If you do not opt out, you are placed on the program's Standard (39% renewable energy) plan.
