Press Release  Following Governor Healey’s Demand, Utilities Agree to Waive All Interest Charges for Winter Energy Bill Relief

Boston —  Today all utilities have agreed to waive all carrying (or interest) charges on their winter bill relief proposals, following calls from Governor Maura Healey. National Grid, Eversource, Berkshire Gas and Unitil have all agreed to waive all interest charges. 

“Bills are too high and customers can’t wait for relief. That’s why I acted to get $180 million off winter electric bills and called on the utilities to help provide immediate relief -- including waiving interest charges,” said Governor Healey. “After seeing what they proposed, I again called on the utilities today to waive interest charges and they have agreed. Customers need relief and we’re going to continue to push for it. That includes our energy affordability legislation which creates more accountability for utilities, gets charges off bills, and drives down costs."  

Governor Healey called on the utilities to lower energy costs this winter. Her administration is covering the cost of $180 million in electricity bills for February and March. She also called on the utilities to deliver relief, resulting in an overall 25 percent reduction in electricity bills and 10 percent reduction in gas bills in February and March. For the costs that utilities plan to defer over several months, utilities will not collect any interest. Liberty Gas will not defer any costs. 

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