Boston Community Choice Electricity

Nope! You can join and leave the program as you choose without any fees. However, if you’re switching to BCCE from a third-party supplier, you may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ask your company if they can waive termination fees.

Leaving a third-party supplier is worth it. According to the Massachusetts Attorney General, customers on predatory third-party supply ended up paying too much for their electricity. Learn more at Boston.gov/protect.

Enrollment is easy! Just fill out our online form. Note: enrollment can take up to two billing cycles before taking effect. 

A supply block is an account security measure that prevents unauthorised changes to your electricity supplier. If you have a supply block on our account, you will not be enrolled into BCCE. You can still join BCCE by removing the block!

How to remove Eversource supply block:

1. Call Eversource (1-800-592-2000)
2. Ask to remove the supply block on your account
3. Wait 48 hours
4. Enroll by filling out our online form

Boston Community Choice Electricity is a not-for-profit municipal aggregation program. That means the City of Boston gets electricity in bulk from an energy supplier at a discounted rate and passes savings on to you.

The electricity supplier and rates are chosen through a competitive bidding process that leverages the buying power of our community. Rates are locked in during the contract period and change when the City agrees to a new contract.

If you have a payment plan or eligible low-income delivery rate, you will continue to receive those benefits.

If you have solar panels, you will continue to receive your net metering credits.

For more information on Mass Save, HEAP, Shut-Off Protection, and other assistance programs, visit boston.gov/energy.

You must send or fax a copy of your Small Business Energy Exemption (“Form SBE”) directly to Direct Energy, BCCE’s energy supplier, at usn.taxexemption@directenergy.com or 800-504-7428, or mail it to Direct Energy, Attn: USN Tax Exemption, PO Box 180 Tulsa, OK 74101-0180 in order to maintain your tax exempt status.

Note: can take up to two billing cycles before taking effect.

Eversource's Basic Service rate for residential accounts and small commercial accounts changes every February and August and their rate for large commercial and industrial accounts change every February, May, August, and November.

Although BCCE strives for affordable rates, savings compared to Eversource Basic Service cannot be guaranteed because of the changes in Eversource rates. Our rates are locked in during the contract period and change when the City agrees to a new contract.

Consumer protection: We offer Boston residents and small businesses a reliable, not-for-profit electricity option. Some account holders have signed contracts with for-profit companies called competitive electric suppliers. Learn about the risks these contracts carry. The program offers account holders an easy way to avoid these risks.

Affordable and stable electricity rates: We intend to set low-cost electric rates that remain fixed over long periods of time. This helps residents plan their monthly household budgets.

Reduce carbon emissions: The City of Boston is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We reduce carbon emissions through the electricity we purchase for customers.

Increase renewable energy generation: 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.

Support local renewable energy: When buying renewable electricity for the Program, we strive to stay local, prioritizing renewable sources locally in the following order: Boston, Massachusetts, then New England.

Environmental justice: Pollution and climate change cause more harm to socially vulnerable communities. BCCE aims to deliver benefits and economic opportunities to these communities.

The six program principles were developed in coordination with a Working Group composed of local experts and advocates, community leaders, and residents. The design and implementation of the Boston Community Choice Electricity Program was shaped by the Working Group who met from December 2018 until the launch of the program in 2021.

If you do not wish to participate in this program, you may opt-out using our online form within 30 days of receiving your consumer notification letter. Alternatively, you can fill out, sign, and return the card that was enclosed with the consumer notification letter in the postage paid envelope and mail to:

City of Boston CCE

c/o Direct Energy

PO Box 180

Tulsa, OK 74101-0180

You may also opt out of the program any time throughout the life of the Program with NO CHARGE. It may take a couple of billing cycles before you are back on  Eversource’s Basic Service. You may submit an opt-out form by clicking the OPT-OUT button OR by calling Direct Energy at 855-402-5868 and asking to be placed on Eversource’s Basic Service.