Liberty Utilities Massachusetts filing for rate increase on gas residential heating customers

According to the company, before mid-July, Liberty Utilities Massachusetts will be filing to adjust distribution rates for customers.

If approved, the average monthly total bill impact for a typical residential heating customer is estimated to be an increase of approximately $57, or 37 percent, for the Company’s Fall River and North Attleboro service area customers, and an increase of approximately $64, or 55 percent, for the Company’s Blackstone service area customers.

The Company’s Fall River and North Attleboro service area includes customers in Fall River, North Attleboro, Plainville, Swansea, Somerset, and Westport. The Company’s Blackstone service area includes customers in Blackstone, South Bellingham, and Wrentham.

Liberty states that there are multiple reasons for the filing:

• They are required by Massachusetts state law to file a rate case at least once every 10 years; the last rate case was filed in 2015.
• They have made substantial investments in the infrastructure to enhance safety and system reliability.
• Recently, new pipeline safety regulations have been introduced that will require the company to perform work on its natural gas distribution system.

“An appropriate rate adjustment will help us maintain compliance with all new regulations and continue delivering safe and reliable service to customers.”