By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
North Attleborough residents will have two upcoming opportunities to voice their opinions on a proposed Liberty Utilities rate hike that could increase monthly bills by up to 80%.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will host an in-person public hearing at North Attleborough High School on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 7 – 9 p.m. The following Tuesday, Oct. 7, a virtual option will be held via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81706654438. For audio-only access, residents can dial in at 1-309-205-3325 (not toll free) and enter the meeting ID 817 0665 4438.
Town Councilor Laura Wagner spoke during the councilor comments section of the Monday, Sept. 22, council meeting to let residents know about the public hearings and encourage them to attend.
“Public participation is allowed, and if you’re concerned about your gas payment rate increasing as much as 80%, you have two opportunities to attend a meeting,” said Wagner.
Liberty Utilities (New England Natural Gas Company) Corp. filed its petition for approval of a general increase in base distribution rates for gas service and a performance-based ratemaking plan, on June 13 of this year.
According to a Notice of Filing and Public Hearings by the DPU, the matter has been docketed as D.P.U. 25-85, and the department has suspended the effective date of the proposed rate increase until May 1, 2026, to “investigate the propriety of the company’s request.”
“Liberty seeks to increase its gas base distribution rates to generate approximately $55.8 million in additional revenues,” reads the DPU filing. “According to the company, the net effect of the request is expected to be a 55.5% rate increase, on average, across all customers on a total bill basis, and an increase of approximately 45% in total operating revenues.”
Attorney General Andrea Campbell has also filed a notice of intervention in the matter, which includes a retention of experts and consultants to assist in investigating the company’s filing. She has requested department approval to spend up to $300,000, which can be recouped from Liberty Utilities.
According to the public hearing notice, a residential heating customer — or someone who uses on average 100 therms of gas per month to heat their homes during the winter under rate R-3 — would see a 37% increase, or $78.86 per monthly bill, if Liberty’s petition is approved. Customers who qualify as low-income under rate R-4 would see a $59.15 monthly increase.
A non-heating residential customer, such as those who primarily use gas for cooking, heating water or drying clothes, would see the largest rate increase of 80.9%. Customers receiving service under rate R-1, using approximately 21 therms of gas during the winter season, would receive a monthly bill increase of $44.50. Low-income, non-heating customers’ bills would increase by $33.38 a month.
According to Mark Marini, secretary of DPU, the department is an adjudicatory agency overseen by a three-member commission, and issues decisions through orders.
“Members of the commission will attend the scheduled hearings for the rate case and will listen to all comments and testimony from members of the public,” said Marini in an emailed statement.
Written comments from the public will be accepted until 5 p.m on Oct. 8, and can be sent to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, DPU2585.LibertyRateCase@mass.gov, or to Liberty Utilities’ attorneys at Keegan Werlin LLP in Lexington.