Electric "Choice" Still Mostly Favored According to Poll

A new poll has been released showing significant opposition to legislation that would eliminate the competitive electric supply market, with voters expressing strong support for maintaining competition and preventing a utility monopoly in Massachusetts.

The poll, conducted by leading Massachusetts pollster Beacon Research, was released following passage of legislation in the Massachusetts Senate last month that would effectively eliminate retail electric choice for Massachusetts customers and force them onto monopoly utility service. The Senate action would also close the competitive supply industry, resulting in the loss of industry jobs in the state.

“Voters have been consistent on this issue,” said Chris Anderson, President of Beacon Research, Inc. “They clearly support maintaining competition in the electricity market, and those views only strengthen as they learn more about the issue. Voters want to ensure they maintain the ability to choose more affordable, innovative, or renewable options and prevent monopoly control by the utilities.”

Among the key findings of the poll include:

• 62% of voters oppose eliminating the competitive supply market when they learn the big utilities would be the only option for buying electricity, while just 27% favor eliminating the market;
• 71% think protecting consumers against utility monopolies should be an important priority for policymakers;
• 82% of current and former customers give positive ratings for their experience with retail electricity suppliers;
• 83% think it’s important for lawmakers to prioritize keeping costs as low as possible when it comes to their energy

Voters see several good reasons for keeping the competitive electric supply market in Massachusetts, including:

• 89% - Maintaining competition for more consumer choices;
• 86% - The cost savings opportunities of the competitive supply market;
• 82% - The renewable energy options offered by competitive supply companies.

The poll of 756 Massachusetts registered voters was conducted between May 15- 22, 2024. The survey was sponsored by NRG, a Fortune 200 company with over six million retail energy customers across North America, including Massachusetts.

A full copy of the polling memo can be found here.