Energy Burden Inquiry

D.P.U. 24-15: Notice of Inquiry by the Department of Public Utilities on its own Motion into Energy Burden with a Focus on Energy Affordability for Residential Ratepayers

The Energy Burden in Massachusetts

Summary

On January 4, 2024, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) voted to open an inquiry to examine energy burden with a focus on energy affordability for residential ratepayers. Please see the Notice of Inquiry by the Department of Public Utilities on its own Motion into Energy Burden with a Focus on Energy Affordability for Residential Ratepayers, D.P.U. 24‑15, Vote and Order Opening Inquiry (January 4, 2024) (“Opening Order”).

In the Opening Order, the DPU provided background on these issues, an overview of the current methods that the DPU uses to address energy affordability, and a variety of questions seeking input on how the DPU can reduce the energy burden and address affordability issues.  The DPU encouraged all interested persons to participate in this proceeding by supplying written comments on this topic by March 1, 2024. Links to Opening Order, the Notice, and other documents related to this inquiry are available below. Please also see the press release issued by the DPU, available in 简体中文 | Kreòyl ayisyen | Português, Brasil | Español. 

After receiving over 100 comments from various stakeholders and following the virtual workshop held on June 24, 2024, the DPU issued an interlocutory order with focused questions on areas of consensus to seek input on these issues. The DPU solicited written comments on any or all of the above-noted issues by Friday, November 1, 2024. The DPU also held a technical session on January 28, 2025. 

Update

The DPU is holding another virtual technical session on June 10, 2025. The intent of the technical conference is to gather feedback on the model developed to calculate discount rates for its Energy Burden docket. The model proposes three different discount rates for six income-based tiers of low-income electric customers to mitigate bill impacts for customers while providing the most assistance to eligible customers with the lowest incomes. 

Additionally, the DPU is seeking comments all aspects of the model and in response to the specific questions listed in the Hearing Officer Memo dated May 15, 2025. 

How to Comment

The DPU is seeking comments all aspects of the model and in response to the specific questions listed in the Hearing Officer Memo dated May 15, 2025. 

Written comments are due by Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

 

All comments should be submitted to the Department in electronic format by e-mail attachment to [e-mail] and [e-mail].

The text of the e-mail must specify:

• The docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 24-15);

• The name of the person or entity submitting the filing; and

• That the document is a written comment.

The electronic filing should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing. All documents submitted in electronic format will be posted to the DPU's File Room. 

The DPU strongly encourages comments and documents to be submitted via email. However, if you are unable to send written comments in email form, you can send a paper copy to Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Boston, MA 02110.