Retail Supplier Reports Massachusetts Customer Count, In Opposing Bill That Would Ban Residential Electric Choice

In a statement concerning its opposition to pending legislation in Massachusetts that would ban new and renewed competitive residential retail electric contracts (excluding municipal aggregation), Clearview Energy reported its Massachusetts customer count

As previously reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com (see full story here), a provision banning individual residential electric choice is contained in S. 2842, the Senate version of a larger climate a bill pending in conference committee

"Clearview Energy has more than 13,000 Massachusetts customers who have chosen their renewable energy product to power their homes," Clearview stated

The bill would ban renewals in addition to new contracts, as Clearview noted that the ban will eventually force these customers back to their default utility.

Clearview said that, "Almost 500,000 Massachusetts residents have shopped the market and chosen an energy supplier other than their default utility."

Clearview said that the bill frustrates the state's larger environmental goals and the bill's purpose, citing its own plans promoting electric vehicles (previously covered here) in addition to its 100% renewable plans

The bill, "inhibits progress and innovation, specifically regarding many EV initiatives," said Clearview Energy President and Founder Frank McGovern, noting that Clearview offers a line of products that provide free EV charging

"The biggest barrier to purchasing an EV is home charging. Since 2017, Clearview has partnered with ChargePoint, the world's largest EV charging network, incentivizing consumers to not only purchase EVs but to also contribute to off-peak charging. As more and more EVs enter the market, managing charging times and battery storage will become increasingly vital to the reliability of the electric grid," McGovern noted

"Electric choice is no longer just about rates. Competitive markets drive innovation and require companies to be nimble and responsive to customer demands offering a diverse mix of incentives, such as nightly charging, weekend charging, rebates, and charging credits. Choice is about offering consumers products and incentives that allow them to more easily adopt new technology and adapt to a rapidly changing industry," Clearview said

McGovern affirmed that Clearview Energy does not oppose the entirety of the climate bill, but with Section 54 in place, "almost 20% of renewable generation customers would go away."

Separately, the Retail Energy Supply Association also earlier made the following statement concerning the Senate bill, "For 20 years, energy competition has been enjoyed by consumers in 14 restructured states. Massachusetts and its residents deserve to remain among them, which they have both stated and demonstrated."

RESA noted that the number of shopping customers in the state (noted above) is, "in line with Clean Choice Energy’s 2021 poll by SurveyUSA, which found 79% of Massachusetts respondents said they want options besides the incumbent utility service and mirrors what RESA’s National Survey in 2020 learned that 74% of consumers want to select their own energy supplier."

Daniel Allegretti, National Spokesperson for RESA, stated, "Consumers want cleaner electricity, customized products, lower costs, and other innovations not available through regulated basic service. Clean Energy’s poll shows 83% of Massachusetts customers said they would like to power their homes with clean, renewable energy -- a product many retail choice providers offer. Abolishing energy choice in Massachusetts and relying solely upon a utility with no competitive incentive could leave Massachusetts unable to meet the state’s climate goals and would deny customers the opportunity they have today to choose who supplies their energy and from which sources."