|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
As frigid winter months approach, so do higher natural-gas bills. Eversource has proposed an average rate hike of 13% for its Southeastern Massachusetts customers.
The rate increases come less than a year after the state’s Department of Public Utilities ordered major gas providers, including Eversource, to decrease residential gas rates, in response to the record-high delivery charges that spiked last winter’s bills.
The Nov. 1 increase could raise monthly bills by $41.26 for residential gas customers using the average amount of gas per month, according to Eversource. In New Bedford, about 80% of residential customers rely on utility gas for heating, while about 9% use electricity for heating, according to a U.S. Census survey. (Other customers mostly use heating oil, propane, or solar.)
The DPU has complete oversight of rate approvals, leading lawmakers to call for scrutiny of Eversource’s proposal and file new bills to increase legislative oversight.
“This requires our full and immediate attention, especially in light of the significant increases in January, February and March of this year,” said Fairhaven’s Democratic Rep. Mark Sylvia. “Many ratepayers saw increases just on their gas bill of at least 30 or 40%, and that’s not acceptable.”
One of the main drivers of total monthly costs is delivery charges, or the cost of getting gas into a home. Delivery charges make up roughly 65% of a typical utility bill in New Bedford, according to Eversource, compared to roughly 35% for the fuel itself.
So what are our legislators doing to try to bring delivery charges back down?
Old gas pipelines: a major cause of spiking bills
New Bedford’s Democratic Sen. Mark Montigny has co-sponsored a bill that would cap delivery rate increases to 3% a year. It would also set up a commission to recommend cost-reduction measures for consumers and reforms of utility delivery fees.
“The biggest culprit of this program is the gas pipeline replacement program,” said New Bedford’s Democratic Rep. Chris Hendricks.
The old and leaky methane pipes in the state need constant maintenance and replacement. The Gas System Enhancement Program, or GSEP, is responsible for about 23% of delivery costs, while the rest funds public energy efficiency and low-income energy programs.
The Gas System Enhancement Program is poised to cost the state $880 million this year, up from $291 million when the program was introduced in 2015, according to a March report by Attorney General Andrea Campbell. Its cost has gone up by nearly 12% per year.
Sylvia, a former energy resources commissioner and a co-sponsor of Montigny’s bill, said that digging into the broken structure of utilities is a necessary long-term fix that Montigny’s bill would address. But the priority must also be short-term relief, he argued.
Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act could provide that. The proposed bill could save energy customers an estimated $10 billion over 10 years through new approaches. For instance, it would allow companies to finance some upgrades through bonds, rather than monthly surcharge increases.
It would also allow customers to pay for residential upgrades, like window replacements and heat pumps, in small increments.
Sylvia and Hendricks say passing these bills is a priority, but with changes to further address consumers’ concerns. “There are some things the DPU can do now, but we may want to consider including those as requirements in any final bill,” said Sylvia.
How much does Mass Save cost customers?
Another point of contention amid rising utility hikes is the Mass Save program — a statewide energy efficiency program funded by utility companies through customer surcharges — which has proven to be a double-edged sword for consumers.
It aims to decrease monthly costs by subsidizing upgrades like heat pumps and insulation for homeowners, but passes the cost to all consumers, even nonparticipants, via surcharges.
In February, the DPU approved a $500 million reduction to Mass Save’s budget. The cut was designed to decrease the amount consumers paid to their providers, but some legislators say it was not enough.
“The Mass Save program needs to be reformed,” said Rep. Antonio Cabral, a Democrat from New Bedford and another co-sponsor of Montigny’s bill. “I’m not sure, at this point, if it really makes sense that utilities are the major runners of the program.”
A major criticism of Mass Save is that it is inaccessible for many, posing an equity issue for ratepayers. Owners of some old homes in New Bedford may find that they can’t afford certain upgrades, even with a Mass Save subsidy.
And though renters can participate in Mass Save, their access is limited, and sometimes dependent on landlord approval. Nearly 60% of New Bedford residents are renters.
“I know some renters take part in it; others complain that they can’t get the OK from the landlord,” said Cabral.
Renters are entitled to certain green energy benefits, such as guides to assess their energy usage, and rebates for using energy-saving products like advanced power strips and air cleaners. The more financially worthwhile structural upgrades, like windows, heating, and air-conditioning systems, are only accessible to owners.
Subscribe to our Weekender newsletter
Busy week? Catch up on the most important stories you might have missed with our Weekender newsletter.
A recent report by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office found that residents in gateway cities such as New Bedford pay 24% more per person to Mass Save than residents in non-gateway cities, but get little to no return on that investment.
DiZoglio’s audit recommends that the Legislature created new incentives to increase landlord participation on behalf of their renters. It suggests transferring Mass Save’s administration — which currently collaborates with utilities — to an independent entity.
The audit also recommends more legislative oversight and transparency around MassSave.
“Doesn’t matter how sophisticated you are, look at that bill and try to figure out what it means,” said Cabral. “I think we need to make it plain English.”
There is no definitive finish line for these bills, but legislators hope to see solutions later this fall, especially as households brace for high usage this winter.
Isabelle Oss is a graduate student in journalism at Boston University, covering state government for The Light as part of the Boston University Statehouse Program.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Oct. 10, 2025, to delete a comparison of New Bedford’s utility rates to other rates and an incorrect reference to the DPU’s relationship with Mass Save. The update also corrects and clarifies details about Healey’s proposed legislation and clarifies details about DiZoglio’s audit.
First all, it is 100% disgusting and unacceptable that Eversourcce can continue to raise Gas and Electric Bills after earning profits of over $811.7 Million Dollars last year (per their 2024 financial summary report).
Secondly, it’s a real joke that the DPU is appointed by our Governor , read this post it will make you sick https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-appoints-new-dpu-commissioners-focused-on-lowering-costs-and-increasing-energy-supply
Lastly this has been going on for months now and we should be ashamed of all our local Representatives and Senators for doing nothing to stop this madness. But most of all it’s real clear Massachusetts needs to vote Governor Healey out of office, she is a complete failure, and the worst governor in our state’s history.
Well said, Mr. Rogers
Thank you
Our utility rates are set by the the people appointed by the people we the people elect
Would you want it any other way?
Secondly who should appoint the DPU?
Trump?
Lastly, unlike Trump, Healy was voted into office by an overwhelming majority of the voters?
Healy is worse than Dukakis?
James Michael Curley – Convicted of fraud and served time in prison during his tenure.
Francis W. Sargent – Resigned amid scandal related to campaign finance violations.
William Weld – Faced criticism for his handling of state finances and political controversies.
Deval Patrick – Accused of ethical lapses and faced backlash over his administration’s decisions.
Charlie Baker – Criticized for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on public trust.
Have started a a Healy recall petition?
Wind has nothing to do with delivery charges.
So our Governors solution to the problem is to let the utility company pay there costs with bonds [loans] and where does the repayment of these bonds PLUS interest come from? You and me the consumer. Great idea Maura,2026 election can come soon enough!
Our utility rates are set by by the people appointed by the people we the people elected.
The same people who elected Maura.
OMG
Who sets the utility rates?
Amen to that. God I miss Charlie Baker. He was a concerned governor for Dems and reps.
If you look carefully, I think you’ll find MassSave’s budget cut of $500 million came after a budget increase of $1 billion. In other words, even after the so-called “cut”, MassSave is still getting $500 million more than in previous years. That’s a big part of the reason for recent rate increases.
The MassSave program is in dire need of an audit. I, for one, am tired of getting a daily flyer in the mail from some energy audit company promising all sorts of free goodies – insulation, weatherstripping, heat pump, etc. especially since I’ve already done all those things in the past few years. Those MassSave advertising campaigns alone must be costing the ratepayers millions of dollars.
Is using less electricity a good idea?
Comment after comment and no one responds.
Heat pumps are a joke. Yes they may be green but they use way more electricity and that equates to even higher utility bills than using gas. Plus the retrofit to replace a baseboard heating system would cost a fortune in and of itself. Finally the whole thing is a scam because they offer a 10K rebate so the suppliers just bump up the retail cost of purchase to 16K and they take the money. Its no deal for us at all. Guess who pays for the rebate.
Pls explain how a heat pump “may be green” and more important … that they “use way more electricity”.
I ask because I dis switch to a heat pump for both heat and A/C … and my electric bills are half as much as before conversion … with changing the temperature settings on the registers.
Electric heat pumps are more efficient than gas for producing heat down to 40 degrees.
New Bedford is below 40 degrees less than 10 % of the time.
There is no need to remove base board heat.
Leave it in place for backup.
For New Bedford new builds, heat pumps have a clearly lower life cycle cost.
They do not blow up.
I have a heat pump. They are fine in the spring summer and fall. But winter, you are better off using gas/oil to heat the house.
Cost is basically the same and much better heat. The heat pump keeps shutting off to defrost and the house gets cold.
But I do love it in the spring summer and fall
All the hot air coming out of Boston should be enough to keep all the liberals warm this winter, keep this in mind at your next king rally
From Trump.
Rate increases should be tied to profits. Ratepayers should come before shareholders!
Write to
Jared Lawrence (jared.lawrence@eversource.com),
Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Digital Strategy
Chief Customer Officer
Eversource Energy
He is the gentleman that represented Eversource at the meeting put on by Councilor Leo Choquette that was held early this year (in March) at Pulaski School to discuss the last Eversource Rate Increases.
And here we are again and Eversource is requesting another Gas Rate Increase of 13%.
The message to Eversource should be clear, it’s 100% disgusting and unacceptable that Eversourcce looks to raise the bills of Seniors, Veterans, Families, and hardworking Massachusetts residents after reporting earnings and profits of $811.7 Million Dollars in 2024 .
If Governor Healey cared about the residents of Massachusetts she would have her appointed members of the DPU reject and deny Eversource’s Rate Increase request.
Should the government take over Eversource?
Control the rates?
Responding to every post is kinda off the wall and after reading a response to one of your comments above “Comment after comment and no one responds”, just might be time to give it a break.
Well said.
In addtion to other suggestions by our State Auditor mentioned in this article are the following:
“State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office found that residents in gateway cities such as New Bedford pay 24% more per person to Mass Save than residents in non-gateway cities, but get little to no return on that investment. …..It suggests transferring Mass Save’s administration — which currently collaborates with utilities — to an independent entity.
The audit also recommends more legislative oversight and transparency around MassSave.”
There are also many other sound suggestions listed in this article, but I would really like to see these State Auditor recommendations implemented .
This article buries the lede pretty shamelessly. The utility company can’t do much when the state is forcing multiple, inefficient programs down our throats, and those programs are administered by Eversource.
Beyond the 23% to pipe infrastructure, the rest of the delivery costs come from “public efficiency” (Is this MassSave? Why isn’t this specified?) and SUBSIDIZING other people’s energy usage.
Why is this the ratepayer’s responsibility?! And why is a utility company administering this?!
It’s likely that more than half of New Bedford qualifies for LIHEAP (free/discounted heating/gas/electric) which is subsidized by the delivery charge. That means that less than half of ratepayers in New Bedford are crushed under the enormous burden of subsidizing the majority’s energy usage. This is made more egregious by the lack of efficiency investments made by landlords (as referenced in this article, and I can confirm that my apartment is a veritable heat-sink), and that most NB residents are renters beholden to long-distance landlords, if not downright slumlords.
The minority in this city are paying for the majority – this is unsustainable.
(As a side note, the rate of house fires every winter in this city is horrifying. As fuel continues to explode in cost, the city will be guaranteed to see more house fires.)
What he said 100%.
Mass gives free and discounted energy to the less fortunate and all the non citizens that recently crossed the border during the Biden administration. You remember them right? The state is still paying billions of dollars a year, extra, to support this influx. That includes free gas and electric.
Guess what? Nothing is free and someone is paying for it. Massachusetts utility rates are double the national average. This is all based on bad policy!!
It’s sad that utilities have stock holders and are not a non profit as they basically hold a monopoly. I guess we can’t undo that situation. Maybe we should width hold our payments for the winter months and spread them out during spring summer and fall? I already keep my home heated at 64 and wear sweats all winter. I cover up with a blanket to stay warm while reading in the evening, but then to get a $500 gas bill it’s just unbelievable. Their responsibility is to the stock holders I guess. Is there no option?
The stockholders are pretty much Conservatives. , MAGA are pretty much not.
All utilities delivery should be investigated, not just gas and electric. Propane, oil and good old cable. Delivery fees are outrageous.
Excessive profits?
Propane and oil are supplied by local businesses.
Cable is competitive.
Investigate them.
Great comments and it’s nice to read everyone’s opinions. Hopefully our elected officials will take action and help the residents of Massachusetts.
Well I’m from RI and the real reason the gas and electricity bills are so high is because we both need another gas pipeline built from Pennsylvania thru NY into MA and RI, but the climate change gurus of the 3 previous states would rather you all freeze during the winter and sweat to death in the summer. We all need another GAS pipeline built ,simple as that.