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 to its customers as well as having 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 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 gas base distribution rates to generate $10,893,803 in additional revenues. The Company’s revenue deficiency includes the transfer of $4,202,178 in capital investments made as part of its gas system enhancement program to base distribution rates, effective July 1, 2024. Net of these transfers, the proposed overall increase to revenues is $6,691,625, which the Company states represents a 23.5 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 Non-Heating: R-1 Rate
Residential Non-Heating Customer typical bill impact on R-1 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
Residential Low-Income Non-Heating: R-2 Rate
Residential Low-Income Non-Heating Customer typical bill impact on R-2 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
Residential Heating: R-3 Rate
Residential Heating Customer Typical Bill Impact on R-3 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
Residential Low-Income Heating: R-4 Rate
Residential Low-Income Heating Customer Typical Bill Impact on R-4 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
General Service - Small Bill Impacts
General Service - Small, High Winter Use: G-41 Rate
General Service - Small, High Winter Use Customer Typical Bill Impacts - G41 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
General Service - Small, Low Winter Use: G-51 Rate
General Service - Small, Low Winter Use Customer Typical Bill Impacts - G51 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
General Service - Medium Bill Impacts
General Service - Medium, High Winter Use: G-42 Rate
General Service - Medium, High Winter Use Customer Typical Bill Impacts - G42 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
General Service - Medium, Low Winter Use: G-52 Rate
General Service - Medium, Low Winter Use Customer Typical Bill Impacts - G52 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
General Service - Large Bill Impacts
General Service - Large, High Winter: G-43 Rate
General Service - Large, High Winter Use Customer Typical Bill Impacts - G43 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 base distribution proposal (above).
General Service - Large, Low Winter: G-53 Rate
General Service - Large, Low Winter Use Customer Typical Bill Impacts - G53 rate customers from D.P.U. 23-81 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).
