Summary
On August 17, 2023, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil (“Company” or "Unitil") filed a base distribution rate case petition to adjust its rates. A regulated utility may recover reasonable and prudent, known and measurable costs incurred to provide safe and reliable service and have the opportunity to earn a fair and reasonable rate of return on prudently invested capital.
After receiving this petition, the Department reviews the proposal. The Department suspended Unitil's proposed distribution rates for 10 months until July 1, 2024. See the Department's suspension Order here.
The Department’s staff reviews written testimony and supporting detailed cost data, cross-examines witnesses in evidentiary hearings, and reviews public comments. These documents can be found here.
The Department then issues a Final Order on the petition prior to July 1, 2024.
The Department’s Final Order affects the public because it determines the distribution rates that utility customers pay. Public participation in a rate case is important because those comments become part of the record and are considered by the Department’s Commissioners to make a decision in the rate case. You may find more information on how to file comments with the Department here.
Overview - Bill Impacts
Unitil has filed a petition with the Department to increase its electric base distribution rates to generate $6,775,526 in additional base distribution revenues. The Company proposes to transfer $2,673,750 in costs recovered through certain reconciling mechanisms to base distribution rates, effective July 1, 2024. Net of these transfers, the proposed overall increase to distribution revenues is $4,101,776, which the Company states represents a 13.6 percent increase in distribution revenue.
The bill impacts shown below were provided with the Company's initial filing and are illustrative bill impacts showing the potential changes in bills if the Company’s proposal was approved as filed. The Company's proposed base distribution rate increase is in addition to changes to other rates, such as supply rates and reconciling mechanisms, that occur during the year, which may impact the actual costs customers experience.
Residential Bill Impacts
Residential: RD-1 Rate
Residential Basic Service customer typical bill impact on RD-1 Rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Residential Low-Income: RD-2 Rate
Residential Low-Income Basic Service customer typical bill impact on RD-2 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Commercial and Industrial Bill Impacts
Small General Delivery: GD-1 Rate
Small general delivery Basic Service customer typical bill impacts on GD-1 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Regular General Delivery: GD-2 Rate
Regular general delivery Basic Service customer typical bill impacts on GD-2 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Large General Delivery: GD-3 Rate
Large general delivery Basic Service customer typical bill impacts on GD-3 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Optional General Delivery Time-Of-Use: GD-4 Rate
Optional general delivery basic service time-of-use customer typical bill impacts on GD-4 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Water and/or Space Heating Delivery: GD-5 Rate
Water and/or space heating delivery typical bill impacts on GD-5 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal. Note that this provision is restricted to customers presently served on this rate or having a building permit as of May 1, 1985 (above).
Outdoor Lighting Bill Impacts
Company-Owned Outdoor Lighting: SD Rate
Company-owned outdoor lighting Basic Service customer typical bill impacts on SD rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Customer-Owned Outdoor Lighting: SDC Rate
Customer-owned outdoor lighting Basic Service customer typical bill impacts on SDC rate customers from D.P.U. 23-80 base distribution proposal (above).
Upcoming Events
- Virtual Evidentiary Hearings
- Beginning February 1, 2024 and throughout the month of February. See schedule below. The hearings will be virtual and will begin at 10:00 a.m. each day.
- Public Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82630396376 or Dial 1 646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 826 3039 6376 (note this is a recurring link that can be used to view any of the hearings).
