Massachusetts

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

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

‘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%.

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.”

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.”

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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Massachusetts

The Massachusetts beach towns better than Cape Cod, per Condé Nast

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

The Massachusetts beach towns better than Cape Cod, per Condé Nast

Massachusetts residents love their beach towns.

And Condé Nast Magazine loves two particular beach towns in the Bay State, but surprisingly didn’t pick a beach on Cape Cod.

That’s why the towns were included on the magazine’s 2025 list of the 17 best beach towns on the East Coast.

“Whether you’re looking to lay out on the sand in summer or prefer walking along the water spotting wildlife and collecting rocks, the shores of the East Coast have a little something for everyone,” Condé Nast stated on its website.

Here’s more about the magazine’s favorite beach towns in Massachusetts.

Oak Bluffs ranked No. 5 on the list

Coming in at number 5 is one of the most popular spots on Martha’s Vineyard – Oak Bluffs.

What they said: “The colorful gingerbread houses for which Oak Bluffs is known are straight out of a storybook. Visitors walk straight off their boats into Ocean Park, a circular green overlooking the sea, encircled by said houses, with a frothy, delicate gazebo sitting in the center. Oak Bluffs has a long history of welcoming Black visitors, and today it is home to the annual African-American Film Festival.”

Rockport ranked No. 4 on the list

Rockport is a town on the North Shore of the Bay State.

What they said: “The coastal region is known for its excellent seafood, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Many a good film has been filmed here as well, such as Martin Scorsese’s ‘Shutter Island’ and Kenneth Lonergan’s ‘Manchester-by-the-Sea.’

“Forty miles north of Boston, (Rockport) has a can’t-miss natural gem in Halibut Point State Park, from which visitors can spot Maine in the distance 80 miles away. Rockport is also beloved by art history buffs: it is home to Motif Number 1, a fishing shack with the superlative ‘the most-often painted building in America.’ It was built in 1840, and was a popular subject because it represented New England’s nautical character.”

What other regions of New England are on the list?

According to Condé Nast, they include:

Bar Harbor, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Newport, Rhode Island
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
Madison, Connecticut

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts town near Gillette Stadium presses for World Cup security funding

Published

14 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Massachusetts town near Gillette Stadium presses for World Cup security funding

Up the road from Gillette Stadium, a town neighboring Foxboro is pressing for funding to meet public safety demands arising from the World Cup, with the first match just over a month away.

Walpole’s state delegation has written a letter to the state Office of Travel and Tourism requesting approval of the town’s request for nearly $200,000 to support “essential public safety personnel,” as officials expect “significant spillover impacts” from the premier soccer tournament.

As the Walpole/Foxboro town line on Route 1 is a handful of miles north of Gillette Stadium, officials are expecting increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity to amount to “heightened public safety demands.”

“As outlined in the Town’s proposal,” the state delegation wrote in the letter it sent to the state last week, “Walpole will play a critical role in ensuring safe and efficient operations for both residents and visitors.”

“This funding will help close a critical gap and ensure that Walpole can safely support this internationally significant event,” the delegation added.

The state Office of Travel and Tourism confirmed to the Herald that it received the letter from state Reps. John H. Rogers, Paul McMurtry, Ted Philips and Marcus Vaughn and Sen. Mike Rush. The office said it will announce decisions in the coming weeks about round two of the $2 million grant program that supports municipal public safety needs tied to the World Cup.

The first round of the program, a $10 million competitive initiative, awarded funding earlier this year to 17 communities to support tournament-related events, including fan festivals, watch parties and regional activations.

This comes after the Foxboro Select Board battled the Boston Soccer 2026 nonprofit host committee and Kraft Sports & Entertainment, which operates Gillette Stadium, for months to ensure it received full funding to cover all security personnel and equipment.

In mid-March, the David vs. Goliath fight concluded, with Boston Soccer 2026 and the Krafts agreeing to cover Foxboro’s $7.8 million request.

Gillette, which will be rebranded as “Boston Stadium,” is set to host seven matches – five in the group stage and two knockout games – between June 13 and July 9. The World Cup is considered a SEAR 1 event, the highest risk level for public gatherings in the country.

“These matches will bring an excitement that this town has never seen,” Foxboro Police Chief Michael Grace said before the Select Board voted to grant an entertainment license for the matches to go on.

Gillette Stadium. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

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Massachusetts

The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25

No other city in the country boasts more championships than Boston, giving Massachusetts a sporting pedigree unlike any other.

What’s unique about many of the state is that several of the stars from those championship-winning teams were Massachusetts natives.

Before they were winning the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, World Series or a gold medal, those athletes were high school standouts.

Which high schools in Massachusetts are considered the best for athletes today?

According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for “reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school”—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.