|
|
|
|
|
Choice State Energy Regulator Says Emergency Measures For Rate Relief "Unsustainable"
The following story is brought free of charge to readers by VertexOne, the exclusive EDI provider of EnergyChoiceMatters.com
The Massachusetts DPU sent a letter to all of the state's investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities warning that emergency actions to provide rate relief to customers, such as taken this winter and last winter, are, "unsustainable".
"For the second winter in a row, the Department and the
Companies [utilities] have implemented short-term, emergency bill deferrals to offset high winter bills.
This is unsustainable," the DPU said
See our prior story here on this winter's rate relief, which was generally accomplished through the distribution-side of the bill, but took into account monthly supply costs
The DPU said that its previously reported Docket 25-200 investigation of electric and natural gas rates, which is being undertaken in order to contain customer costs, reduce bill volatility, and to increase electric and gas utility bill transparency and accessibility, "is an appropriate venue to
further explore and implement durable, long-term mitigation measures for winter bill
impacts".
As previously reported, while much of the focus of the 25-200 proceeding is on distribution rates, the proceeding is not explicitly limited to such, and the DPU has broadly invited comments on affordability. See more background here
Concerning the 25-200 proceeding, the DPU said, "We expect that the Companies [utilities] -- who possess all critical data and information about
their rates and customers, and who are best positioned to assess cumulative bill impacts in future
months and years -- will meaningfully engage in D.P.U. 25-200 to propose real, long-term relief
for their customers. Building off the reports the Companies will file on Friday, February 13
comprehensively reviewing their rates and charges, and continuing with comments and technical
sessions, the Department looks forward to the Companies offering robust proposals for
proactively managing and mitigating costs for their customers."
ADVERTISEMENT Copyright 2026 EnergyChoiceMatters.com. Unauthorized copying, retransmission, or republication
prohibited. You are not permitted to copy any work or text of EnergyChoiceMatters.com without the separate and express written consent of EnergyChoiceMatters.com
February 11, 2026
Email This Story
Copyright 2026 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com:
• NEW -- Billing Analyst - Retail Supplier
• NEW -- Manager, ISO Coordination (electricity), Retail Supplier
• Refreshed 2/2/26 -- Account Executive (Commercial Retail Energy)
|
|
|
|
|