BOSTON (WWLP) – Massachusetts is investigating why gas and electric bills are so high and exploring ways to mitigate these costs.
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) launched a multi-part investigation on Monday to determine why bills can fluctuate so greatly from month to month, and whether the state should limit the increase of certain charges.
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In the Bay State, utility bills include supply rates and delivery charges. Supply rates are set by distribution companies like Eversource and National Grid and require DPU approval. Delivery charges are more complicated and include a fixed customer charge, base distribution rate, and infrastructure maintenance costs, among other considerations.
The DPU will be investigating these charges in several phases. The first phase will break down and interrogate all of the separate charges that make up delivery rates, and it will explore “designs that reduce bill volatility” to keep bills consistent month to month…