With energy rates changing as fast as the cycles of energy regulation and deregulation did during the early and mid-nineties, Massachusetts electricity consumers owe it to their companies to consult regularly with an independent energy consultant such as National Utilities.
With the help of NUC, businesses can lock in a low rate when renegotiating an existing utility contract with suppliers, thanks to knowledgeable energy professionals with a proven track record of knowing when the time is right to take the best advantage of new rates.
When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission passed laws in 1989, 1992 and 1995 limiting their authority to wholesale transactions while encouraging states to assume responsibility in regulation and deregulation, states were left to the own set and change their rates. This opened a door allowing considerable abuse of the rate payer, in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
Massachusetts businesses deregulation law gives local governments a strong hand in serving consumers and the environment. The law builds on traditional franchise authorities of local governments to act as “community commercial energy brokers” in a deregulated electric industry, and allows communities to administer tens of millions of dollars paid by their citizens for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
Deregulation in Massachusetts officially began in 1998, involving existing utility providers NSTAR (resulting from the merger of Boston Edison, Commonwealth Edison and Cambridge Edison), Mass Electric and Western Mass Electric. The Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE) allowed customers the choice of staying on a special discounted rate if they had been receiving electric services prior to deregulation. As of 2005, Massachusetts did away with the Standard Offer of Service (SOF) and placed customers automatically on Default Service, which is fully susceptible to market forces resulting from deregulation.
Under the “Community Choice” program, consumers wishing to find their own providers were allowed to opt out of the local government assignment, which opened new opportunities as well as hidden pitfalls in the rapid fluctuating market pricing. That’s where National Utilities can ensure your business real savings. Not all brokers are created equal, and big time consumers have to be more cautious than ever in order to secure and lock in the best possible rates.
National Utilisource tracks market electricity costs on an almost minute by minute basis, and in states such as Massachusetts, where costs still fluctuate wildly, timing is key to locking in best rates. NUC can help CEOs negotiate or renegotiate with suppliers at the right time, often well before to the expiration of the existing utility contract.
With the help of a qualified energy broker such as National Utilities, businesses can chart a clearer course through the thicket of energy providers and take advantage of significant cost savings. NUC helps business in major markets to know when and how to negotiate new contracts.
Contact National Utilities to find out how your company can benefit from electricity cost savings. We are your National Electricity Commercial Energy Broker.