Healy in Pittsfield opposes Berkshire Gas rate hike, announces temporary bill rebates
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Summary
Governor Healy told a Pittsfield audience he opposes a Berkshire Gas proposal that he said could raise local bills by as much as 25%, noted the administration testified against it, and described temporary rebates and an energy affordability bill with estimated savings.
At an event in Pittsfield, Governor Maura Healy criticized a proposed Berkshire Gas rate increase she said could raise bills in the region by as much as 25 percent and said the administration had testified against the proposal in January.
"25% is something that nobody can afford," Healy said, adding the administration would continue to oppose rate hikes. She said the state had already testified against the proposal and would press utilities and regulators to push back on "unnecessary charges on people's bills."
Healy also described immediate consumer relief the administration has announced: "We announced a rebate recently of 25% off electric bills, 10% off gas bills for the next couple of months," she said. Separately, she said she filed an "energy affordability bill" with the legislature that she estimated would save ratepayers $13,000,000 if enacted.
The remarks were part of a longer speech focused primarily on housing and production tools; the transcript records Healy's opposition and administrative actions but does not include a response from Berkshire Gas or a regulator in the event. Officials said they would continue to pursue regulatory and legislative avenues to limit rate increases and reduce energy costs for residents.