Pittsfield — Now that the cold weather months are upon us, residents throughout Massachusetts will likely be holding their breath as they open their utility bills. With gas and electric rates typically surging higher in Western Massachusetts than any other part of the state, Senate members of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy are holding a special oversight hearing on Friday, December 1, at 10:30 a.m., at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield.
The intent of this special legislative hearing is to address the rate increases on electricity, gas, and oil that have caused an undue burden for so many Berkshire County and Western Massachusetts residents in recent years. Recent data shows that utility costs in Massachusetts have skyrocketed, with electricity rates increasing by an average of 12 percent and natural gas prices spiking by 15 percent in the last two years alone. And larger utilities have increased even more. For example, in November 2022, Eversouce sought a 43 percent increase in its electric rates, which went into effect in January of this year. This November, the Boston-based company’s natural gas rates also rose 38 percent for its Massachusetts customers, which in turn means an increase of $86 per bill for the average user. Combined with increased costs of medicine, food, and housing, these steep rate increases have had a direct impact on living and working in the Commonwealth, straining budgets and raising concerns about the accessibility and affordability of these essential services.
Among those invited to provide testimony are:
- The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- The Department of Energy Resources
- The Department of Public Utilities
- The Office of the Attorney General
- Eversource National Grid Berkshire Gas
“In the Berkshires, there is often a feeling that we are left out of the decision-making process and that our voices are not heard equally compared to the rest of Massachusetts,” said Senator Paul Mark (D – 2nd Berkshire District). “I am grateful to Chair Barrett and my colleagues for agreeing to hold this important oversight hearing in Pittsfield so that our unique needs can get the recognition and attention they deserve.”
Senator Mark added that this legislative hearing serves as a critical step in addressing the affordability and reliability of utility services within the state, ensuring that residents can meet their basic needs without suffering from unsustainable price hikes. “Paul Mark is a fierce advocate for Western Massachusetts,” said Senator Michael Barrett (D – 3rd Middlesex District), who is the senate chair of the committee. “He asked that we bring a hearing that would normally happen on Beacon Hill to Pittsfield to make sure residents could hear directly from state and utility officials. I’m glad we could make it happen.”
