Oliveira leads over 80 Legislators in Call for Urgent Review of Energy Rate Increases

Boston, MA – In response to unprecedented spikes in energy bills across Massachusetts, State Senator Jake Oliveira (Hampden, Hampshire & Worcester District) is leading a coalition of state legislators to jointly call on the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to immediately reassess recent rate hikes approved for investor-owned utility companies, including Eversource and National Grid. In a letter addressed to DPU Chair James Van Nostrand, Oliveira was joined by more than eighty legislators who expressed grave concern over the financial strain these increases place on households and small businesses. 

“Residents across our districts have reported alarming increases in their utility bills, with some seeing their costs double,” said Oliveira in the joint letter. “A senior constituent of mine’s Eversource bill jumped to $449.91 in January, nearly $300 of which was due to supply costs alone. These excessive rate hikes are unsustainable for working families, seniors, and small business owners who are already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.  

The letter highlighted the burden on vulnerable residents, including seniors on fixed incomes who are experiencing an astonishing 27% increase in their heating costs. Despite claims from Eversource that the spikes are due to colder temperatures and increased usage, many ratepayers who have maintained consistent energy consumption are still seeing drastic hikes.  

“Families are having to make the impossible decision between putting food on the table and heating their homes. This is unacceptable.”  

Oliveira and the legislators are demanding that the DPU conduct a comprehensive and transparent review of Eversource’s pricing structure to determine whether these rate increases are justified.  
“Time and again, we see profits prioritized over the well-being of Massachusetts families,” said Oliveira. “We cannot allow utility companies to impose unpredictable and excessive financial burdens on ratepayers without proper oversight. The DPU must act now to protect consumers and ensure fairness in energy pricing.”  

As winter continues, Oliveira and the legislators are calling on the DPU to take immediate action to hold Eversource accountable and implement measures that prioritize affordability for all Massachusetts residents.