Pittsfield Council Opposes Berkshire Gas Rate Hike Proposal
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has joined statewide opposition to Berkshire Gas's proposed 22 percent increase on the average customer's bill.
On Tuesday, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 4 Councilor James Conant asked their colleagues to oppose the rate hike, which the state Department of Public Utilities has suspended until October to investigate. Written comments are accepted through Friday, Feb. 27.
"As all of us know, Berkshire Gas is looking for up to a 25 percent increase, which would equate to about an average of $54 a month, which is a hefty increase for anyone," Amuso said.
"And there's about 8,500 households in Berkshire County that are on fuel assistance, and we already have 8,500 households on fuel assistance, I'm not sure how more than 8,500 can afford a $54 average."
Present councilors unanimously supported the petition, and Councilor at Large Peter White, who was unable to attend the meeting, communicated his support via email. Mayor Peter Marchetti is also a signer.
The testimonial letter urges the DPU to deny the utility's requested increase, or sharply reduce it, require the company to demonstrate the benefits of the Gas System Enhancement Program before costs are rolled into base rates, and condition any approved increase with consumer protections and affordability programs.
The utility is asking to adjust distribution rates to generate $22.2 million, which it anticipates will result in a 21.6 percent rate increase on average. In filings with the DPU, Berkshire Gas is estimating up to about a $54 per month increase for residential heating and $12 for non-heating customers.
Gov. Maura Healey, the Berkshire legislative delegation, local higher education institutions, and community members have voiced opposition to the proposed rate hike for a vital service. The North Adams City Council registered its opposition also on Tuesday.
During a recent campaign stop in Pittsfield, Healey recognized that people are "really, really struggling" with gas and electric bills.
"I'm working on every front to lower those costs. I was upset to see Berkshire Gas's proposal for an additional rate hike that could increase bills in Pittsfield, around this region, by as much as 25 percent. Twenty-five percent is something that nobody can afford; our residents can't afford, our businesses can't afford. It just can't happen," she said.
"So I'm opposing this rate hike proposal in the strongest possible terms."
Healey filed an energy affordability bill that she says could save customers at least $13.7 billion over 10 years. The governor said there are a few things in the legislation that can happen right away, and she looks forward to working with the Legislature on it.
Amuso and Conant's petition states it has been an "oppressive" winter with significant snow and many days that been around or below zero degrees. They said a rate increase of this magnitude would disproportionately harm low-and moderate-income residents, seniors on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, and families already forced to choose between heat, rent, food, and medical care.
"[Berkshire Gas's] parent company, from what I understand, is whole and financially stable," Amuso said.
The company has attributed the proposal to capital investments, rising operational costs, and the Gas System Enhancement Program, "yet GSEP costs passed to ratepayers have reportedly risen by over 300 percent without clear evidence of proportional improvements in safety or leak reduction," the letter reads.
During a recent public hearing, state Rep. John Barrett III said the program has raised serious concerns for years, and the Attorney General's Office is reviewing those concerns as they relate to Berkshire Gas's 2026 GSEP spending.
Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham was among 17 speakers at the hearing, emphasizing how costly utilities are another deterrent for young families wanting to live in Massachusetts.
For commercial and industrial customers, Berkshire Gas says monthly bill impacts will range from an increase of between 11.7 percent and 25.9 percent, depending on usage and rate class. The cost to the average consumer using gas for home heating is estimated at $54 a month.
Berkshire Community College projects a 63 percent increase in natural gas costs between fiscal years 2023 and 2027. At the Feb. 5 hearing, Matthew VanHeynigen, chief government relations officer for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, said it would mean a $115,000 annual increase for the college that would have to be added to its budget. This could mean that student fees are raised, or programs are cut to make up the difference, he reported.
Written comments from the public may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, the hearing officer at lauren.morris@mass.gov, and the company's attorney, Brendan P. Vaughan, at bvaughan@keeganwerlin.com.
Tags: berkshire gas, energy rates,
