From the Office of Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey:
Boston — Ahead of her visit to the Berkshires on Tuesday, February 17, Gov. Maura Healey reiterated her opposition to the proposed Berkshire Gas rate increase, which could increase bills as much as 25 percent for customers across western Massachusetts.
“We’re working on numerous fronts to lower costs for people across our state, and the proposed Berkshire Gas rate increase is absolutely unacceptable and coming at the worst possible time for families and businesses across western Massachusetts,” said Gov. Healey. “I oppose this proposed increase and have directed my administration to push back in the strongest possible terms. We are focused on lowering energy costs across the board. We’ve taken $180 million off electric bills and pushed the utilities to provide immediate relief to gas customers this winter. Our energy affordability legislation would save people $13 billion by getting costs off bills and bringing in more energy, so our residents aren’t hit with bills they can’t afford.”
The governor announced her opposition to the rate increase in January and continues to push back against unnecessary rate increases across the state. Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony, representing the Healey-Driscoll administration, testified against the Berkshire Gas rate hike at the February 4 public hearing. As attorney general, Healey also traveled to Pittsfield in 2017 to testify against the proposed Eversource electric rate increase. Gov. Healey has also spoken out against proposed rate hikes from Liberty Gas and National Grid.
