In a highly-anticipated move, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities made cuts to Eversource’s proposed electricity rate hike last week. The DPU decreased Western Massachusetts Electric Company’s request for $34.7 million by 30 percent. Western Massachusetts Electric Company is an Eversource subsidiary. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief JD Allen spoke with attorney Kevin Conroy, of Foley Hoag in Boston. Conroy says the rate hike will disproportionally impact Western Massachusetts’ 209,000 ratepayers.
Conroy served as state Deputy Attorney General under Martha Coakley.
A spokesperson for Eversource says the state’s cuts are disappointing. The new distribution rates come into effect January 1st. Eversource expects to release more information about customer impacts by the end of the week.
