Massachusetts lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed deep concerns over steep increases in energy costs, with scores of Bay State residents saying they are not pawns in a corporate game. A joint letter to state Department of Public Utilities Chairman James Van Nostrand calls for immediate action to reassess rate adjustments and hold investor-owned utility companies accountable.
The concerns focus on Eversource and National Grid, which bear the brunt of complaints. At least one constituent reported seeing their January Eversource bill climb to $449.91, with nearly $300 attributed solely to supply costs. Additional residents in affordable housing complexes have voiced deep concern over excessive delivery charges and fees.
The state Department of Public Utilities approved an Eversource request last November to increase natural gas bills by 20% to 30%. Utility officials attribute the increases to higher natural gas usage resulting from colder temperatures.
Lawmakers are calling for the department to take action, stating that profits should not be prioritized over the well-being of Massachusetts families, seniors, and small businesses. A petition with over 4,000 signatures demands that rate hikes be halted and reversed, with calls for economic reevaluation, legislative transparency, and inquiry into state agencies’ failures.
Eversource officials have encouraged customers to take advantage of available assistance programs and payment plans, while the state Minority Caucus has urged Attorney General Andrea Campbell to investigate whether these increases are justifiable. The caucus highlights how then-AG Maura Healey challenged Eversource’s request for a $96 million increase in 2017.
Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/02/15/massachusetts-lawmakers-residents-demand-probe-into-eversources-surging-energy-prices