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Nine weeks after Gov. Maura Healey requested a review, the Department of Public Utilities on Monday opened an investigation of all delivery charges on electric and gas bills in Massachusetts.
The department said its probe “will examine the causes of bill volatility and promote a greater understanding of rates for customers to take greater control over their energy bills.”
The DPU has so far in 2025 reduced the budget of the Mass Save three-year plan, required mitigation for last winter’s gas bills, and implemented new electric rates to reduce winter costs for residents who use heat pumps.
The new investigation will explore whether to establish limits on how much charges can increase from month to month, and whether certain charges should be eliminated, consolidated or “redesigned as a fixed charge.”
The efforts come as residents and businesses cope with rising utility and other bills that are contributing to a higher cost of living in Massachusetts.
“Last winter, customers saw their bills spike, with some paying 50% more than they did the previous winter,” Healey wrote in an Oct. 14 letter to the DPU. “Families and businesses cannot afford, nor budget for, these unexpected, high costs.”
Healey filed energy affordability legislation (H 4144) in May and as winter sets in it remains before the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee co-chaired by Rep. Mark Cusack and Sen. Michael Barrett. Lawmakers appear torn between the challenges of addressing rising consumer costs, maintaining decarbonization efforts and delivering on infrastructure demands required to keep energy systems safe and reliable.
In its 26-page order announced Monday night, the DPU said it was moving ahead “with deference to any statutory directives to the Department that the Legislature may adopt,” with plans to “initiate a review of these matters now, using our existing authority, to provide relief to ratepayers as promptly as possible.”
Regulators said the first phase of their investigation will explore delivery-related portions of electric and gas bills. There are also plans to potentially change the net metering recovery charges paid by electric customers “without compromising the continued development of solar [power] in the state,” according to the DPU.
The second phase of the investigation will examine utility bill design, “increasing transparency for ratepayers when they receive their bills and creating more consistency across companies,” the DPU said. “In addition, following the severe billing errors customers have experienced this year, the DPU also plans to examine current utility billing practices and utilities’ performance in meeting their obligations to provide their customers with accurate, transparent, and timely bills. This investigation will commence in the coming months.”
100% it’s time to send Maura Healey the worst governor in our state’s history to the unemployment line. Like the state audit that 72% of voters wanted, this DPU probe will go no where. The only thing that will help the residents of Massachusetts is for Maura Healey to be removed from Office.
Be informed. Do not vote for Maura Healy in upcoming coming elections.
This should have happened 2 years ago. Especially last year. Let’s see if anyone will be getting any refunds.
Why did this investigation take so long to start after last year uproar will our utilities bills, this should have been settled over the summer. Now you start an investigation after the utility companies were just granted an increase in rates. The elected have no shame, I am waiting for the beginning of the year when the governor will be boasting about the fabulous job she and the legislators have done, and will be increasing their salaries beyond inflation
Please explain to me how removing an elected official will lower our gas bills. One of the problems I see is this system which allows Eversource a guaranteed profit. In the interest of transparency I’d like to see the salaries of these executives who “earn” their money no matter how well they do their jobs. I thought the Right was not OK with “everybody gets a trophy”, or in this case, a profit.
All fake news..
The governor and all the mass politicians knew higher electricity prices were a forgone conclusion, when they went down the “renewable energy is the answer” path. And when Biden allowed mass immigration.
I remember three years ago when they were talking windfarm prices, they were saying 30% increase in your electric bill!! This is no surprise…We have long standing gas pipelines that bring gas to the region. They are maxed out at capacity. We shut down coal plants, shut down nuclear..where is the electricy coming from? Wind farms?
Hundreds of thousands of illegals coming into the state that use fee housing and electricity. They dont have money to pay for utility bills! Nothing is free!
I got solar on my house cause I saw this nightmare coming from a mile away! I’m a simple worker from NB, how was it so obvious for me see? But the politicians are shocked?
I feel bad for the working people that have to swallow this nonsense.
Lip service, Pure and simple. Now she can CYA and say “See i did something”, won’t lead to anything ……………. she and the Legislators who allowed this to happen MUST GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Department of Public Utilities Commissioner’s all appointed by Maura Healey are the ones that have allowed Eversource to increase yor delivery charges by 300 plus %. Don’t think that they will give the consumers any real answers. SHAMEFUL.