Eversource Rate Case Comments Due Today
Eversource has filed its rate case (D.P.U. 17-05). The public's opportunity to submit written comments ends today on May 31, 2015 at 5:00 PM.
You can use this link provided by Mass Power Forward to send e-mail comments to the DPU or follow the directions below. If you have already sent comments, thank you. If you haven't yet, please do it now before it is too late.
The Eversource rate case includes many proposals that could adversely affect existing solar energy system owners, the economic viability for future solar projects and overall prospects for the solar industry and solar jobs in Massachusetts.
It is important for members of the solar industry, current solar owners, anyone hoping to install solar in the future, or anyone who cares about transitioning to a renewable energy future to let the DPU know your thoughts about Eversource's rate case.
Eversource’s rate proposal is a study in contrasts. The utility is asking for certainty, simplicity and guarantees for their business, while asking that solar customers and the solar industry face a highly uncertain and complex future, with no guarantees.
The utility proposes to single out solar customers for highly complex rate structures that impose new demand charges and new fixed charges, while eliminating existing time of use rate structures that many solar customers depended on to justify their investments.
MassSolar requests that the DPU reject Eversource’s proposal to impose demand based rates on residential and small commercial solar customers.
Eversource has also proposed higher fixed monthly charges for solar customers as part of a monthly minimum reliability contribution (MMRC).
Singling out distributed generation customers for higher fixed charges is bad public policy. Instead, any rate should equitably recover costs from all customers, while appropriately valuing all the benefits of the solar energy exported by DG customers.
Acadia Center has published a number of their concerns about the Eversource rate case proposals here. The Attorney General has published a number of her concerns about the Eversource Rate Case here.
You can use this link provided by Mass Power Forward to quickly and easily send e-mail comments to the DPU. If you have already sent comments, thank you. If you haven't, please do it now before it is too late.
Written comments should be addressed to: Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, 5 th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Receipt by the Department, not mailing, constitutes filing.
In addition to the above filing requirement, one (1) copy of all materials filed with the Department should be sent to each of the following: (1) Marc J. Tassone, Hearing Officer, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, 5 th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110; (2) Cheryl M. Kimball, Keegan Werlin LLP, 265 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (counsel for the Companies); and (3) Joseph W. Rogers, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Ratepayer Advocacy, One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.
Further, in addition to paper filings with the Department, all documents also must be submitted to the Department in electronic format using one of the following methods: (1) by e-mail attachment to dpu.efiling@state.ma.us and the Hearing Officer, Marc.Tassone@state.ma.us; or (2) on a CD-ROM. The text of the e-mail or CD-ROM must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 17-05); (2) the name of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document. The electronic filing should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing.
