Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is urging the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to prioritize affordability over company profits in response to a recent gas price deferral order. The order, which requires six natural gas companies to reduce energy bills by at least 5% for the rest of March and April, has been met with sharp opposition from Bay Staters who claim it is inadequate.
Campbell wrote a letter to the DPU on Friday, requesting that the companies defer costs without carrying charges, so that customers’ repayments are not inflated due to compounding interest. This move would ensure that the companies shoulder a small portion of the winter’s high energy cost burden, rather than passing it entirely to their customers.
Critics argue that the deferral is insufficient and will only benefit the companies in the long run. State Sen. Mark Montigny called it a “slap in the face” for consumers, who have seen their bills rise hundreds of dollars during the cold winter months.
The DPU’s order also requires utility companies to promote budget billing programs, which would allow customers to spread their energy costs evenly over time. However, some lawmakers and residents are skeptical about this proposal, arguing that it does not address the root cause of the issue: high gas prices driven by state environmental initiatives.
Campbell pointed out in her letter that delivery charges have surged significantly, with 60% of the increase attributed to a budget increase for Mass Save, a program supporting Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The governor’s administration has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with some accusing it of being hostile towards natural gas.
As the debate continues, residents and lawmakers are calling on Campbell and the DPU to take action to address the issue. A petition signed by over 12,000 residents is demanding that Eversource’s rate and delivery hikes be halted and reversed, along with greater transparency and economic evaluation.
Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/02/21/massachusetts-residents-lawmakers-call-dpus-5-gas-reduction-a-slap-in-the-face