WASHINGTON. BREAKING DEVELOPMENTS RIGHT NOW IN THE PUSHBACK AGAINST SOARING DELIVERY CHARGES ON NATURAL GAS BILLS. NEWSCENTER 5 HAS LEARNED STATE REGULATORS AT THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH EVERSOURCE ABOUT LOWERING NATURAL GAS DELIVERY RATES, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM. THIS NEWS COMES JUST DAYS AFTER OUR BEN SIMMONEAU REPORTED ABOUT THE SKYROCKETING GAS BILLS BEING SENT TO CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE STATE. THE HUGE BILLS ARE NOT BEING DRIVEN BY THE PRICE OF NATURAL GAS, BUT RATHER THE DRAMATIC RISE IN DELIVERY RATES, WHICH TOOK EFFECT LAST FALL AFTER APPROVAL FROM STATE REGULATORS. A NEWSCENTER FIVE ANALYSIS SHOWS NATURAL GAS DELIVERY RATES FOR BOTH EVERSOURCE AND NATIONAL GRID HAVE RISEN 30 TO 38% SINCE GOVERNOR MAURA HEALEY TOOK OFFICE. THE INCREASED RATES, COMBINED WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY COLD JANUARY, DRO

Massachusetts regulators discuss lowering gas delivery rates after ‘Ben Has Your Back’ report

State regulators at the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities are having conversations with Eversource about lowering natural gas delivery rates, at least in the short term, NewsCenter 5 has learned. The news comes days after a NewsCenter 5 report about skyrocketing gas bills being sent to customers across the state. The huge bills aren’t being driven by the price of natural gas but rather the dramatic rise in delivery rates, which took effect last fall after approval by state regulators. A NewsCenter 5 analysis shows natural gas delivery rates for both Eversource and National Grid have risen 30-38% since Gov. Maura Healey took office. The increased rates, combined with an exceptionally cold January, drove gas bills to the highest levels most customers have ever seen. Some NewsCenter 5 viewers shared bills for one month topping $800 to $1,000. A good part of those delivery fees go to fund the state’s Mass Save program, paying rebates to customers who switch their heating away from natural gas and other fossil fuels. The new Mass Save plan costs 25 percent more than the previous plan.The Mass Save plan is reauthorized by the state every three years. The previous plan totaled $4 billion, but the 2025-2027 plan now getting underway is $1 billion — or 25 percent — more expensive, totaling $4.99 billion.Both Eversource and National Grid said other parts of the increase go to maintain and improve the gas pipeline network. But the delivery charge also includes a utility’s profit. Video: High delivery fees leave Massachusetts gas customers in shock

BOSTON —

State regulators at the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities are having conversations with Eversource about lowering natural gas delivery rates, at least in the short term, NewsCenter 5 has learned.

The news comes days after a NewsCenter 5 report about skyrocketing gas bills being sent to customers across the state.

The huge bills aren’t being driven by the price of natural gas but rather the dramatic rise in delivery rates, which took effect last fall after approval by state regulators.

A NewsCenter 5 analysis shows natural gas delivery rates for both Eversource and National Grid have risen 30-38% since Gov. Maura Healey took office.

The increased rates, combined with an exceptionally cold January, drove gas bills to the highest levels most customers have ever seen.

A good part of those delivery fees go to fund the state’s Mass Save program, paying rebates to customers who switch their heating away from natural gas and other fossil fuels. The new Mass Save plan costs 25 percent more than the previous plan.