Eversource Seeks Statewide Rate Hikes; Mass. AG Says She'll Fight

BOSTON, MA – Eversource electric company filed a request with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to raise utility prices by $96 million across the state, a move the state's Attorney General has pledged to push against.

Eversource is seeking to increase Western Massachusetts Electric Company customers’ rates by $36 million and NSTAR Electric Company customers’ rates by $60 million, the AG's office said. That $60 million increase comes to about seven percent extra, or $8.45 per average monthly bill, in Easter Massachusetts, according to Eversource.

If approved, the new rates would take effect January 1, 2018.

Eversource said in a press release the proposal allows the company to "expand its commitment to reliability and clean energy technologies" in the long term. The company cast its proposal as a benefit to customers and the environment, as well as a commitment to heightened cyber security.

The Attorney General's office casts it as a play to increase shareholder profits, rather than benefiting customers.

“As a regulated public utility, Eversource is required to justify why the state should permit it to raise electric rates on residents and business customers,” AG Maura Healey said in a press release decrying the company's request. “Our initial evaluation shows that Eversource should be returning profits to customers as savings, not raising rates. We urge the DPU to reject Eversource’s request for a rate hike.”

The AG's office has been scrutinizing the shareholder profits allowed for Massachusetts utility companies.

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