Eversource Seeks To Consolidate Nstar, WMECO Operating Companies, Consolidate Rates

Nstar and Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (Eversource) have filed a rate case with the Massachusetts DPU that proposes to consolidate the operating companies into a single entity, along with certain rate consolidation, and which seeks authority to invest in storage and other new energy technologies

Under a proposed transaction, WMECO will merge with and into NSTAR Electric, with NSTAR Electric as the surviving entity.

Eversource is not proposing rate consolidation between WMECO and Nstar at this time, but anticipates doing so in the company's next base rate proceeding. Specific testimony concerning rate consolidation was not yet available, and any future impact on basic (default) service rates is unclear.

However, in the instant rate case, Eversource does propose to consolidate rates at Nstar, where rates are currently unique for three legacy service areas within Nstar: Boston Edison, Commonwealth Electric, and Cambridge Electric. Basic (default) service rates at each of the three Nstar service areas are already uniform for small customers, and based on ISO-NE zones for large customers

Eversource is proposing in the case a "Grid-Wise Performance Plan", which, among other things, would allow utility investment in storage, EV infrastructure, and distributed energy resource (DER) integration tools

Under the plan, Eversource proposes $100 million for investment in, "energy storage research & demonstrations."

Eversource proposes $15 million for investment in customer tools for DER integration including a customer portal, hosting capacity maps and tools, and automated billing for improved customer service

Eversource proposes $45 million for EV infrastructure and vehicle conversions

"Some of the major investments contemplated by the Company include substantial investment in distribution automation, electric-vehicle infrastructure and energy storage capabilities," Eversource said