Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Senate Republican Caucus Press Release on Electric Rates
Today the Senate Republican Caucus, led by Senator Richard Ross, distributed
the following press release regarding a letter the caucus sent to Attorney
General Martha Coakley and others seeking further review concerning National
Grid receiving approval from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to raise electric
rates for customers. National Grid estimates that rates could jump as high as
37% this upcoming winter due to an elevation in power supply prices.
Posted below is a signed copy of the letter to the AG from the Senate
Republican Caucus:
Senate Republican Caucus Seeks Answers from National Grid
Boston- Following National Grid’s recent announcement that customers
will see a substantial increase in their winter electric rates, Senate Minority
Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), along with fellow Republican Senators Richard
Ross (R-Wrentham), Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), and Donald Humason
(R-Westfield), submitted a letter to the office of Attorney General Martha
Coakley, for further clarification of this decision and its implications for
Massachusetts home and business owners.
On Wednesday, September 24th, National Grid issued a press release
stating that they recently filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public
Utilities (DPU) to adjust electric and gas rates for the winter. National Grid
projects that electric bills for customers will be 37% higher than last winter,
citing higher power supply prices as a cause.
In the October 7th letter authored by Senator Ross, which was also sent
to Governor Deval Patrick, Chair of the Department of Public Utilities Ann
Berwick, and Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental
Affairs Maeve Vallely Bartlett, the Caucus wrote, “As Massachusetts families
struggle to meet their financial needs during the costly demands of winter, the
cost of this rate increase will present a serious burden. Massachusetts
businesses will face yet another financial obstacle to remaining competitive in
a challenging economy.”
The Senate Republican Caucus requests:
• A full review and
examination of Department of Public Utilities’ approval of National Grid’s
proposed rate increase to ensure that it is in full compliance with
Massachusetts law and represents the least burdensome course of action.
• The office of the
Attorney General determines whether any options are available to alleviate the
burden that the proposed rate increase will present.
According to National Grid, the increase in electricity costs will take
effect on November 1, 2014.
“With NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric Company expected to file
their rates in November, it is important that we confront this serious issue
early,” the Caucus wrote.
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