POR 2025-17
Asked the City Manager to direct the appropriate City staff to explore potential actions the City can take to mitigate the impact of Eversource price hikes
POR 2025 #17 by adding an additional “ORDERED” to read: “That the Chair of the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee be and hereby is requested to schedule a hearing on this matter in the near future.” and to add Councillor Wilson as a co-sponsorThe clerk's words, from the minutes of Mar 3, 2025, p. 9.
View the roll call on the amendment
Voted yes (8)
Burhan Azeem
Marc McGovern
Patty Nolan
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Paul F. Toner
Ayesha M. Wilson
Cathie Zusy
E. Denise Simmons
Absent (1)
Sumbul Siddiqui
View the roll call
Voted yes (9), unanimous
- Burhan Azeem
- Marc McGovern
- Patty Nolan
- Sumbul Siddiqui
- Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
- Paul F. Toner
- Ayesha M. Wilson
- Cathie Zusy
- E. Denise Simmons
O-1
Last year, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved natural gas rate increases for Eversource and National Grid customers, and the new rates took effect on November 1, 2024; and
At that time, it was projected that approximately 500,000 Eversource customers would see their gas bills increase by 25-30 percent, meaning a typical $250 bill could rise to $325, placing a significant financial burden on households, especially during the winter heating season; and
Numerous Cambridge residents have reported sudden and substantial increases in their Eversource gas bills, with some experiencing monthly hikes of over $300; and
These increases have been attributed to factors including surcharges for energy efficiency programs, costs associated with infrastructure upgrades, and expenses related to assistance programs for low-income residents; and
The financial burden of these rising utility costs presents significant challenges for many residents, particularly those on fixed or limited incomes; now therefore be it
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to engage with Eversource to evaluate the specific factors contributing to these rate increases, including surcharges for energy efficiency programs, infrastructure improvements, and low-income assistance program costs; and be it further
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to explore potential actions the City can take to mitigate the impact of these rate hikes, including but not limited to:
Advocating on behalf of Cambridge residents before the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities regarding future rate adjustments;
Investigating alternative energy sources or suppliers to provide more affordable options for residents; and
Developing or expanding local programs to assist residents facing financial hardship due to rising utility costs, including increased outreach on existing assistance programs such as HEAP; and be it further
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with findings and recommendations within 30 days.