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Commission Initiates Utility Billing Investigation Including Evaluation Of Severe Billing Errors And Net Metering Recovery Mechanism
As a reminder, on December 15, 2025 the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) opened an investigation to comprehensively review all delivery charges on electric and gas utility bills.
As part of the investigation, the Department will evaluate whether certain charges should be eliminated, consolidated, or redesigned as a fixed charge. The first phase of the investigation will also review whether to establish maximum limits on how much specific charges can increase from month to month. The first phase of the DPU’s investigation also includes a complete review of all components on the delivery portion of both electric and gas utility bills.
The first phase of the investigation will also review possible changes to the net metering recovery charge paid by electric customers without compromising the continued development of solar in the state.
The second phase of the investigation will launch an inquiry into utility bill design, increasing transparency for ratepayers when they receive their bills and creating more consistency across companies.
The second phase also includes an evaluation of the severe billing errors customers and competitive retails suppliers have experienced in 2025. The DPU plans to examine current utility billing practices and utilities’ performance in meeting their obligations to provide their customers with accurate, transparent, and timely bills. This investigation will commence in the coming months.
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(Investigation by the DPU on Its Own Motion into Gas and Electric Delivery Charges and Bill Redesign.)
