Massachusetts Blocks Eversource 13% Winter Gas Rate Hike Saving $45M

Massachusetts regulators at the Department of Public Utilities blocked Eversource’s proposed winter distribution rate increase for its NSTAR division—roughly a 12–13% request—saving customers about $45 million and protecting roughly 300,000–303,000 gas customers from higher bills this winter. The DPU said NSTAR failed to meet required performance metrics (including customer satisfaction and other scorecard measures), making the division ineligible for the requested adjustment. Governor Maura Healey praised the decision and called for additional affordability measures, while Boston launched the Boston Energy Saver program to help residents weatherize and cut costs. Eversource called the order “puzzling,” warned the move could shift costs longer-term, and signaled it may pursue larger relief in the future. Regulators did approve funding for necessary safety and reliability upgrades and extended residential shut-off protections for the season, and separate rate requests from other utilities (such as National Grid) remain under review.