Municipalities may be well served by the creation of new municipal electric utilities, which offer lower rates and more responsive service than their investor-owned counterparts.  Statewide, there are 41 municipal-owned electric utilities (Munis), which combined serve roughly 15 percent of Massachusetts residents.  However no new municipal-owned utility company has been approved since 1926, partly due to concern that the existing electricity provider could block creation of the entity by refusing to sell its distribution equipment to the city or town.  Section 107 of Green Communities Act requires the Department of Energy Resources to study the fiscal impact, viability, statutory and regulatory barriers and long-term results of establishing and operating municipal-owned electric utilities in Massachusetts. 

14.a    The Legislature should pass legislation to facilitate the creation of new municipal-owned electric utilities

Add Comment