Overview

• Eversource asked the Department of Public Utilities to approve a 13% increase for residential gas bills starting Nov. 1, with company estimates indicating some customers could see up to 17% higher costs.
• National Grid requested roughly a 3.7% to 3.8% change that company statements and analysis suggest would leave overall bills close to last winter’s levels.
• Eversource says about 11 percentage points of its proposed increase reflect maintenance and infrastructure spending, with roughly 2 points tied to gas supply and less than 1 point to public-benefit programs.
• Gov. Maura Healey labeled the proposed hikes “outrageous” and urged the DPU to push back on Eversource as the agency conducts its review.
• Last winter’s colder weather lifted average usage to 143 therms from a typical 126, and both utilities are directing roughly 1.5 million customers to payment plans, budget billing and efficiency assistance.