Bay State Gas Rate Hike Denied

Massachusetts utility regulators say hundreds of thousands of natural gas customers will see lower bills this winter.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has slashed a distribution rate increase sought by Bay State Gas Company.  The utility had sought an increase totaling $29 million dollars, but the DPU cut that by $21 million.  The regulators said the utility was asking for money now to cover the estimated future costs of capital projects.   State officials say that when the lower overall price of natural gas is factored in the average homeowner should save $19 a month this winter, compared to last, to heat their home.  Bay State Gas  has close to 300,000 customers in Massachusetts including in the Springfield area.