Boston Community Choice Electricity
Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) gives Bostonians greater control over the electricity that powers their homes, places of worship and small businesses.
Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) is a municipal aggregation program. There are currently over 150 similar programs throughout Massachusetts-Boston’s is the largest one. The Program allows the City to secure electricity at a competitive rate. By using the City's collective buying power, we aim to provide affordable and renewable electricity to the program’s customers. BCCE ensures that energy decisions are made locally and reflect the values of Boston’s community.
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Please note:
Current customers do not need to take action to remain on the Program. You will remain on the BCCE plan you were previously enrolled in.
Eversource winter (January-July 2024) rate:
$0.17251/kWh (residential)
$0.17587/kWh (small business)
BCCE’s current rates will change with your December meter read. BCCE’s new rates will then be locked in through December 2025 with a new contracted supplier, Direct Energy. New pricing can be found in the Program Rates section below. You can also utilize the calculator to determine any potential savings.
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Enroll:
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Additional Resources
If you're in need of additional assistance visit boston.gov/energy.
Program rates
Current customers do not need to take action to remain on the Program. You will remain on the BCCE plan you were previously enrolled in.
We've created three products so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Eversource Basic Service customers are automatically enrolled into BCCE's Standard plan on a quarterly basis.
Customer accounts that have not been automatically enrolled into Community Choice Electricity, with Eversource listed as the supplier, may have a supply block on their account preventing enrollment. The block will have to be removed with Eversource customer service before you can enroll in BCCE.
Here's a guide to help you identify your electric supplier.
Rates for the program are valid December 2023-December 2025
BCCE Standard is increasing from 10% to 15% above RPS with the new contract rates.
Note: Both the Standard and Optional Basic BCCE plans are currently lower than the Eversource Basic Service residential rate (22% renewable electricity) and will be through at least December 2023.
- Eversource residential winter rate: (January-July 2024) $0.17251/kWh
Eversource small business winter rate: (January-July 2024) $0.17587/kWh
Use our calculator to determine how much your home or business can save on BCCE.
Eversource offers customers a supply option called Basic Service. BCCE strives to save you money relative to Basic Service. However, savings cannot be guaranteed as Eversource rates change 2x each year. Eversource's winter 2024 residential rate of $0.17251/kWh is higher than all three BCCE plans.
Compare the cost of the program's three plans against one another, Basic Service, and third-party suppliers. BCCE's Green 100 plan (100% renewable energy) is less than Eversource's rate (22% renewable energy). Go green and help Boston get to carbon neutrality while saving every month!
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has developed a website to help consumers shop for electricity supply. Rates shown for third-party suppliers are introductory rates. We have witnessed Boston residents paying rates nearly five and a half times that of BCCE's Standard (default) plan.
How it works
BCCE gives you a choice on the type of electricity that powers your home or business.
The City of Boston has the ability to create our own products. We provide options for more renewable energy, like the Green 100 plan and the lower-cost Optional Basic plan, to help serve all of our customers.
BCCE automatically enrolls Eversource Basic Service customers.
New Basic Service customers are mailed a notification letter on a quarterly basis giving them the opportunity to opt-out of BCCE or opt-in to more renewables. If you do not opt-out, you are placed on the program’s Standard (39% renewable energy) plan. You can opt-up to Green 100 or down to Optional Basic at any time. If you have a supply block on your account, you will not be automatically enrolled in the Program, but you can still join! Call Eversource and have them remove the block, wait 24-48 hours, then enroll by filling out our online form. Auto-enrollments only take place once Eversource sends us new account information and after you have received the welcome packet from us. We do not have access to account details until Eversource provides it to us.
Continue to benefit from existing programs, plans, and assistance.
If you benefit from a program, plan, or some form of assistance, the BCCE program will not interfere with those benefits. In fact, we encourage those who qualify to apply for assistance regardless of their supplier. Visit boston.gov/energy for more information on Mass Save, Rental Relief Fund, LIHEAP and more.
BCCE is flexible. You can opt-in, out, up or down at any time with no contract or fees.
You can change your enrollment or renewable content by calling:
- the program’s electric supplier — Direct Energy — at 855-402-5868 or
- by filling out our online form.
If you’ve signed an electric contract with a competitive supplier, you will not automatically be enrolled in BCCE.
But you can still join BCCE! Learn more on how to protect your account from the dangers of competitive electric suppliers, and your options moving forward.
Eversource continues to serve as your utility.
As a BCCE customer, Eversource continues to handle electricity delivery. They also handle customer billing and service, meter reads, and power outages.
Program principles
PrinciplesThe program has six principles (shown below) that guide the program. These principles were developed in coordination with a Working Group. This Working Group includes local experts and advocates, community leaders, and residents. They have met since December 2018 and have helped shape the design and implementation of the Community Choice Electricity Program.
We offer Boston residents a reliable, not-for-profit electricity option. Some residents have signed contracts with for-profit companies called competitive electric suppliers. Learn about the risks these contracts carry. The program offers residents an easy way to avoid these risks.
We intend to set low-cost electric rates that remain fixed over long periods of time. This helps residents plan their monthly household budgets.
The City of Boston is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We reduce carbon emissions through the electricity we purchase for customers.
We work to increase the amount of renewable energy on the regional grid. The program purchases renewable electricity for its customers to support new renewable energy projects.
When buying renewable electricity for the Program, we strive to stay local. Listed in order of preference, the program will prioritize renewable sources from:
- Boston
- Massachusetts
- Within New England
- Elsewhere
We recognize that pollution and climate change cause more harm to socially vulnerable communities. The program aims to deliver benefits and economic opportunities to these communities.
Working Toward Carbon Neutrality
The Community Choice Electricity program helps Boston achieve our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Carbon neutrality means that our community will only release as much carbon pollution as our environment can safely absorb.
The City of Boston’s Climate Action Plan is our five-year workplan for how we achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The Plan highlights strategies for Boston to accelerate emissions reductions from its buildings, transportation systems, and energy supply. The Boston Community Choice Electricity program is one of the primary tools for reducing emissions from our energy supply. Learn more about our strategies to reduce carbon emissions.
Opt-up to Optional Green 100, our 100% clean energy plan sourced from the New England area to help us get to carbon neutrality.
What people are saying
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Who's Involved:
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Enroll:
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Additional Resources
If you're in need of additional assistance visit boston.gov/energy.
