Massachusetts AG Petitioned for Assessment of Natural Gas Industry’s Future

JUNE 4, 2020

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey petitioned the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to investigate the future of the natural gas industry in light of the commonwealth’s legally binding mandate to transition away from fossil fuels by 2050. The petition emphasized that Massachusetts’ climate policy will have “profound impacts on gas distribution system management, operations, and rates,” and that a proactive investigation into the future of natural gas will aid the DPU as it works to “develop new policies and structures to protect ratepayers and ensure a safe, reliable, and fair transition away from reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels.” The petition flagged a number of issues for the DPU to consider, including ratepayer protection and equity, and noted that “not all ratepayers, particularly low- to moderate-income customers and residents of environmental justice communities will be able to cost-effectively electrify their home heating without additional policy measures.”