Massachusetts was the first deregulated state to decide that the town or city should be the default supplier in the event that customers do not choose a new electric supplier. Individual customers are always free to opt out and choose their own supplier, but if they do nothing their community represents them. "It's democracy in action," said Rob O'Leary, a Barnstable, Mass. County Commissioner, because such a system is voluntary, favors local control over absentee control, and links authority and responsibility.

The language below is the first "Community Access" provision to become law in the United States. The bill was passed by Legislature on November 19, 1997 and signed by Acting Governor Paul Cellucci on November 25, 1997.

• More details on electric industry restructuring in Massachusetts are available from the State of Massachusetts' The Power is Yours web site.
• Full Text of Massachusetts 1997 Electric Restructuring Law

Other Resources

• Seeing the Light: Regaining Control of Our Electricity System
  is the newest book from the New Rules Project by David Morris. Order Online Now! $15.00
• Promoting Competitive Electricity Markets Through Community Purchasing: The Role of Municipal Aggregation by Nancy Rader and Scott Hempling, January 2000
• Community Aggregation News by American Local Power Project
• Comprehensive Information on Community Aggregation - by the American Public Power Association
• Information on Forming a Community-owned Electric Utility - from American Public Power Association