Massachusetts businesses benefit from deregulated electricity and natural gas markets, allowing them to choose competitive suppliers and lock in low fixed rates. Selecting the right energy contract can reduce operational expenses and provide budget certainty.
Electricity Market in Massachusetts
Massachusetts restructured its electricity market, giving customers the freedom to choose their generation supplier. The main distribution utilities deliver power and maintain the grid: Eversource serves much of eastern and western Massachusetts, National Grid supplies central and parts of eastern Massachusetts, and Unitil operates in the Fitchburg area. While these utilities deliver electricity and handle outages, the supply portion of your bill can be sourced from a competitive energy supplier offering attractive fixed rates.
Natural Gas Market in MassachusettsNatural gas is also deregulated in many parts of the state. Local gas utilities such as Eversource Gas (formerly NSTAR Gas), National Grid, Berkshire Gas, and Liberty Utilities deliver gas through their pipelines, but businesses can purchase the commodity from third-party suppliers. By securing a fixed per-therm rate, companies can manage costs and mitigate the risk of market volatility.
Commercial Energy Tips for Massachusetts Businesses
- Obtain quotes from multiple electricity and natural gas suppliers to compare rates and contract terms.
- Check for pass-through charges, material change clauses, and early termination fees before finalizing a contract.
- Work with an energy advisor who understands Massachusetts’ ISO-NE wholesale markets and can secure competitive pricing.
- Implement energy efficiency projects and demand-response programs to reduce consumption and maximize savings.
