The state Department of Public Utilities on Monday said it plans to work with gas companies “to provide relief” to customers who have suffered recent spikes in costs.
“We have listened to ratepayers, and we will be working directly with the gas companies over the coming days to pursue revisions to their delivery rates to provide relief as soon as possible for their customers,’’ DPU spokesperson Alanna Kelly told GBH News in a an email.
The state agency said they were in “high-level discussions with each of the six gas companies,” to address “price volatility.”
The moves comes amidst a growing number of complaints and calls for action to address rising rates that the department previously approved. On Sunday Gov. Maura Healey sent a letter to the chair of the DPU, the agency that oversees investor-owned electric power, natural gas and water companies, saying she was, “deeply troubled” by recent increases in costs. “The DPU must act immediately to provide rate relief to customers in this heating season,’’ she wrote.
A group of state lawmakers also sent a letter to the DPU on Friday, urging the agency to ”reassess these rate adjustments and hold Eversource accountable.“
And last week, a group of customers filed a petition urging for a “halt” and “reverse” of Eversource rate hikes. More than 8,350 had signed the petition as of Monday evening.
Eversource officials said Monday that “energy affordability is a top priority” and they are ready to work with officials, regulators, and others to help. They said recent monthly costs for natural gas users has been due to cold weather and they’ve scheduled several webinars to help customers manage their bills.
Elijah DeSousa, a New Bedford resident who founded the group Citizens Against Eversource, told GBH News that the recent actions seem like “damage control,” and he will push for more change. He said he started the group after being concerned about his own bill and then realizing he wasn’t alone.
“It sounds like they are absolutely terrified of what we will find in a forensic audit, which is exactly why we will push forward to the fullest extent,’’ he said in an email.
