Governor demands urgent action on skyrocketing gas bills in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, residents have been grappling with significant increases in gas bills that have become unaffordable during the winter months. Recently, Governor Maura Healey expressed deep concern regarding rising natural gas rates and instructed the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to reconsider previously approved rate hikes. Her urgency stems from reports of exorbitant bills, with some customers experiencing spikes exceeding $300, prompting calls for relief. Public utilities, including Eversource, have attributed these hikes to factors such as cold weather, heightened usage, and approved rate adjustments from November 2024. A group of 22 state senators echoed the governor’s sentiments, urging the DPU to take swift action against Eversource and reassess its rate hikes. They pointed out that customers maintaining consistent thermostat settings are still witnessing drastic increases, raising concerns about the justifications for these hikes. The DPU clarified its limited regulations over gas company rates, reaffirming its ability to intervene only if the requested costs lack accuracy or breach existing regulations. This limitation has left many wondering what effective relief measures can be placed by the DPU to prevent repeated hardships next winter. Critics, including economist Paul Craney, have called for a comprehensive examination of the policies that may have led to these soaring energy costs. Craney emphasized that recent legislative mandates aimed at transitioning from natural gas to renewable energy could be contributing to sustained high bills and urged lawmakers to revoke these mandates. Meanwhile, Governor Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell have demanded that utility companies extend their efforts beyond a mere 5% rate cut, which they deemed insufficient given the dramatic hikes. As anger among consumers grows, statements made by AG Campbell indicate that utility companies should absorb the cost increases rather than merely postpone them, stressing the need for a thorough reassessment of bill components that contribute to the high delivery charges. With advocacy groups and community activists pushing for drastic changes in how utilities address discontent, the focus remains on holding these companies accountable for their practices in energy billing, with extensive plans to assist impacted customers being pledged by the gas providers. Local programs offered by Eversource aim to assist in managing energy expenses, reflecting an ongoing effort to mitigate customer distress as winter persists across the state.