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‘An absolute crisis': Mass. lawmakers and consumers fight rising heating costs

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‘An absolute crisis': Mass. lawmakers and consumers fight rising heating costs


In a letter signed by 80 Massachusetts lawmakers, the Eversource bill of one unnamed resident was pointed out as an example of the financial burden being felt across the state.

“One resident saw their January Eversource bill climb to $449.91 — nearly $300 of which was attributed solely to supply costs,” explained the letter to Department of Public Utilities Chair Jamie Van Nostrand. “Seniors and retirees have reached out in distress, questioning how Eversource can justify such exorbitant costs when Social Security benefits have only seen a modest 2% increase. Many are now facing an astonishing 27% increase for the coming heating season.”

The letter, dated Feb. 14, urges the DPU to take immediate action to reassess rate adjustments and review Eversource’s pricing structure.

The adjustment to natural gas rates for Eversource customers in Massachusetts that took effect on November range from 20-30%.

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Eversource spokesperson William Hinkle explained that adjustment reflected a variety of factors, including the cost of natural gas on the supply side of the bill and on the delivery side, significant investments in safety and reliability projects to strengthen and improve service for their customers, and growth in energy efficiency programs and services. He added that much colder weather driving increased usage, coupled with the rate adjustments that took effect in November, are the primary factors impacting customers’ current bills.

“This situation is an economic emergency,” said Rep. Mike Connolly, who signed the letter to the DPU. “And when people open up a gas bill, and they are expecting it might be $100 or $200, and we’re hearing $800, $900, $1,000, it’s an absolute crisis.”

Amid cold temperatures that have many cranking up the heat, several Massachusetts residents say they’ve had record-high heating bills. Here’s what’s fueling the cost increase for home heating.

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“I think it’s important to recognize that there are many factors that drive up electric costs, but we need to look at what’s working now in the commonwealth and what is not working. What’s not working now are the outrageous rates that the investor-owned companies are charging residents of the commonwealth,” said Sen. Jake Oliveira, who is leading this push. “Having DPU take another look at these rate increases that have been approved can only help to hold these utility companies accountable.”

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Gov. Maura Healey also wrote to the DPU Chair calling for relief for utility customers.

“The DPU must proactively identify ways to reduce future price volatility for natural gas customers and make rate changes more transparent and predictable,” wrote Healey. “At the same time, the gas utilities must do a better job getting customers into existing programs that help customers reduce bills and manage their costs.”

“We don’t want layaway for our energy costs. We want to be able to afford them,” said Elijah DeSousa, administrator of Citizens Against Eversource, a Facebook group that initiated a petition to have the rate increases reversed. “Why should we trust them to do their better job properly the second time around when they didn’t do it the first time around?”

“I don’t think that fully adds up, and I think there is a little bit of scapegoating going on from the corporate sector, as well as from conservatives who are wanting to point the finger at our sustainability programs,” said Connolly. “I believe serious questions need to be asked and answered about how Eversource could be making so much money on this gas delivery charge, and yet DPU is raising the rate even more.”

In an email, a DPU spokesperson wrote, “We are reviewing the letters from the Governor and from various legislators and will respond soon. We have listened to ratepayers, and we will be working directly with the gas companies over the coming days to pursue revisions to their delivery rates to provide relief as soon as possible for their customers. Over the longer term, the DPU continues to make process in various dockets centered on energy affordability that will help low- and moderate-income households in paying their energy bill.”

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This week, Eversource is holding two webinars to answer questions about heating bills and provide information about financial assistance programs.

“We know that the high cost of energy is challenging for our customers, and we want to help them plan ahead, manage their energy use and overall cost as best as we can. We highly encourage customers who may need help paying their bill to take advantage of the many assistance programs available and we are here to work with all customers one-on-one to connect them with payment options and bill assistance programs — including our budget billing option that smooths out seasonal spikes by setting a predictable bill amount each month based on our customer’s annual energy use,” wrote Hinkle.





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Canadian hydropower line to Massachusetts expected to be running in January

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Canadian hydropower line to Massachusetts expected to be running in January


The long-awaited hydropower line delivering electricity from Québec to New England is expected to be running in January after years of hurdles and delays, the company Hydro Québec stated.

“We have been actively testing the line and the transformers for the past several weeks and are making good progress,” a spokesperson for Hydro Québec said, adding the teams were actively working on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border and “expect to be ready begin energy deliveries in January.”

The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line, initiated nearly in 2017 under the Baker administration and under construction since 2021, is set to deliver 1,200 megawatts of hydropower from Québec to New England over 20 years, becoming one of the largest sources of baseload power in the region.

Avangrid, the company behind the NECEC, announced in November it had secured the final permit to get the power line running after years of regulatory and legal hurdles. The company estimated the line would be running by the end of 2025 at the time.

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The project to bring Canadian hydropower to the New England power grid, estimated to cost about $1 billion, is expected to provide Massachusetts with approximately 20% of it overall electricity.

The clean energy line will deliver about $3 billion in net benefits to Massachusetts residents paying for electricity, including “reducing in ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year,” state officials said.

“This transmission line will deliver affordable, stable power from our partners in Canada to our residents and businesses,” Gov. Maura Healey said in November. “More energy means lower costs. The NECEC line is a key part of our all-of-the-above approach to lowering energy costs and delivering the power our economy needs.”

On average, officials estimated, residents can expect to save $18 to $20 a year over the contract term.



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NESN’S Tom Caron, Dave O’Brien Named 2025 NSMA Massachusetts Co-Sportscasters Of The Year

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NESN’S Tom Caron, Dave O’Brien Named 2025 NSMA Massachusetts Co-Sportscasters Of The Year


New England Sports Network (NESN) on Monday announced that Boston Red Sox broadcast leaders Tom Caron and Dave O’Brien have been named 2025 Massachusetts Co-Sportscasters of the Year by the National Sports Media Association (NSMA).

Caron and O’Brien serve as the cornerstone voices of NESN’s Red Sox coverage, leading the network’s studio and game productions, respectively. Together, they anchor NESN’s comprehensive Red Sox broadcasts, delivering in-depth analysis, trusted storytelling and championship-caliber coverage to fans across New England.

“Tom and Dave represent the gold standard of sports broadcasting,” said David Wisnia, President & CEO of NESN. “Their credibility, storytelling, and deep connection to Red Sox fans elevate every broadcast. This recognition by NSMA is a well-deserved honor and a reflection of their impact on New England sports media.”

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This recognition continues NESN’s tradition of broadcast excellence, following Jack Edwards’ selection as the 2024 NSMA Massachusetts Sportscaster of the Year for his work as the play-by-play voice of the Boston Bruins.

Tom Caron joined NESN in 1995, recently celebrating 30 years with the network. For the past 24 seasons, he has been a central figure in NESN’s Red Sox coverage, serving as the network’s first baseball sideline reporter before becoming host of the Red Sox pregame and postgame shows during the club’s historic 2004 championship season. In addition to leading NESN’s Red Sox studio programming and hosting the “310 To Left” VODcast, Caron has served as studio host for Boston Bruins hockey and as play-by-play announcer for premier New England college hockey events, including the Beanpot Tournament and Hockey East Championship. A nine-time New England Emmy Award winner, Caron was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 and is deeply involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout the region, including serving as Co-Chair of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund.

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Dave O’Brien has served as NESN’s primary play-by-play voice of the Red Sox since 2016, following nine years with the Red Sox Radio Network. In addition to leading NESN’s game broadcasts, O’Brien is also the lead play-by-play announcer for college football and basketball on ESPN’s ACC Network. His career includes Major League Baseball postseason broadcasts, international World Series coverage, and play-by-play roles with the Florida Marlins, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves. A Boston native, O’Brien is a recipient of multiple national and regional broadcasting honors and is widely respected as one of the sport’s premier voices.

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The National Sports Media Association annually recognizes excellence in sports media across the country, honoring broadcasters who demonstrate outstanding professionalism, longevity, and impact in their markets.

About NESN
NESN is consistently one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage, and recently named RSN of the Year by Cynopsis. NESN and NESN+ are delivered throughout the six-state New England region and are available anytime, anywhere, on any device on the NESN 360 app via direct subscription or TV authentication. The network is also distributed nationally as NESN National. NESN’s free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channel, NESN NATION, offers 35+ hours of weekly live and original programming, including exclusive sports content, interviews, and behind-the-scenes features, available on Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Roku, LG, Twitch, Plex, and TCLtv+. NESN.com is one of the country’s most visited sports websites with dedicated digital video production and always-on news coverage. NESN’s social responsibility program, NESN Connects, is proud to support and connect its employees with charitable organizations in the Greater Boston community. NESN also manages SportsNet Pittsburgh, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates for all regionally televised games in and around Pittsburgh, as well as other local sports content. NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

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Mass. weather: How much snow is expected across the state on Monday

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Mass. weather: How much snow is expected across the state on Monday


All of Massachusetts is predicted to see some snowfall in the latter half of the day on Monday, with most of the state getting 1 to 2 inches of accumulation, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are expected to dip into the teens overnight on Sunday before rising into the mid to high 20s on Monday, the weather service said. Clouds are predicted to increase throughout the day before the snow begins in the afternoon.

Berkshire County could see some light snow Sunday night and Monday morning, but heavier precipitation is expected to begin by 1 p.m. Monday, according to the weather service. Most of the rest of the state is predicted to start seeing snow between 3 and 6 p.m., first in western Massachusetts, then spreading across the state.

The snowfall is expected to stop between 10 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Tuesday in most of Massachusetts, according to the weather service. Much of the state may also experience patchy fog Monday night.

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The northwestern half of Worcester County and most of Berkshire County is expected to get the most snow — up to 3 inches, according to the weather service. The Cape, Islands and South Coast are predicted to get less than an inch, and the rest of the state is expected to get 1 to 2 inches.

Most of Massachusetts is predicted to get 1 to 2 inches of snow Monday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.National Weather Service

Overnight lows on Monday are predicted to drop into the low to mid 20s, according to the weather service. Temperatures on Tuesday are expected to be warmer, reaching the mid 30s to low 40s.

There is a chance of rain in most of Massachusetts Tuesday afternoon, with precipitation more likely after 4 p.m., according to the weather service. Tuesday night is predicted to be rainy across the state, though the precipitation may come down as freezing rain or snow at higher elevations.

Temperatures overnight on Tuesday are expected to dip into the high 20s and low 30s before rising into the mid 40s on Wednesday, according to the weather service. Communities in the central and western parts of the state are predicted to see the rain cease by 10 a.m., while Eastern Massachusetts can expect to experience rain until midday.

Sunny skies are predicted across the state following the rain on Wednesday, according to the weather service.

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