Massachusetts Seeks Comments on Mitigating Default Service Rate Increases

The Massachusetts DPU will entertain comments on proposals to mitigate, including through a potential deferral, of basic service rate increases at National Grid.

The Attorney General has sought mitigation of the rates, which will be 16¢ for residential customers, and as high as 21¢ for C&I customers.

"The Department seeks written comments from interested stakeholders addressing (1) whether and how any portion of National Grid’s standard basic service cost recovery should be deferred to a future basic service term; and (2) other possible means to mitigate the effect on customers of the standard basic service rate increase," the DPU said.

"The Department encourages interested stakeholders to work together and provide comments as to potential solutions for mitigating the impact of the basic service rates on customers. Since the approved basic service rates are effective November 1, 2014, the Department seeks to resolve this matter in an expedited manner," the DPU said.