Andover’s representatives in the state legislatures were among the 80 lawmakers to sign two letters urging the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to intervene as delivery rates for electricity and natural gas surge.
“As temperatures drop, residents across Massachusetts are facing unprecedented spikes in their energy bills, creating an unsustainable financial burden on households and small businesses alike,” said the letter signed by state Reps. Tram Nguyen (D-Andover) and Frank Moran (D-Lawrence) and state Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover).
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“Eversource has attempted to blame these spikes on colder temperatures, increased usage, and rate adjustments implemented in November 2024,” the Feb. 14 letter continued. “Yet many customers who have kept their thermostats at consistent levels are still seeing drastic hikes, raising serious concerns about the fairness and necessity of these increases.”
Last week, Gov. Maura Healey said her administration is not responsible for the recent increases but called on the DPU “to take a look at the rates right now. We need to be doing anything and everything we can do as a state to lower heating bills.”
In November, DPU approved increases of 11 to 13 percent for National Grid and 25 to 30 percent for Eversource during the winter months. The average Eversource customer also pays $80 for Mass Save, which provides incentives for energy-efficient improvements. The portion of the bill going to Mass Save is up 92 percent from 2023.
On Monday, Eversource and National Grid responded to a call by DPU to reduce bills by 5 percent per month by filing proposals to cut rates by 10 percent in March and April. The Eversource proposal would cut average bills by $33.75 in March and $19.71 in April. National Grid’s proposal would cut average bills by $40 in March and April, followed by $11 increases from May through October.
“Seniors and retirees have reached out in distress, questioning how Eversource can justify such exorbitant costs when Social Security benefits have only seen a modest 2% increase,” the lawmakers wrote. “Many are now facing an astonishing 27% increase for the coming heating season.”
The letter calls on DPU to reassess rates set in November “and hold Eversource accountable. While energy prices fluctuate, utility companies should not have free rein to impose unpredictable and excessive financial burdens on ratepayers.”