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The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will hold a technical conference on the investigation on time-varying rates (TVR) starting at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The technical conference will adjourn at about 5:00 p.m. on October 21 and continue at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

As reported previously, on June 30, 2026, the Department voted to open an investigation concerning the design and implementation of time-varying rates (TVR). This inquiry will examine rate design considerations for the TVR framework that the Department approved in 2014. In addition, the Department will examine the merits of incorporating transmission and distribution costs into the TVR framework; customer protections for vulnerable populations; the electric distribution companies’ plans for the implementation of TVR; and marketing, education, and outreach (“MEO”) plans for the transition to TVR.

In this investigation, the Department seeks to answer the questions whose resolution will benefit from statewide consistency and collaboration across the EDCs and stakeholders. Prudent exploration and implementation of TVRs will require careful consideration of the appropriate level of complexity of any TVR design, how complexity may be added over time to improve customer and grid outcomes, and what customer protections and education are necessary and appropriate. This technical conference will aid this proceeding by gathering information and perspectives from stakeholders. Department staff  intend to use the information gathered in the technical conference and the record to develop a straw TVR proposal in the coming months.

The Department requests that DOER provide a presentation to start the technical conference. Specifically, the Department invites DOER to present on the recommendation and analysis included in its petition filed on April 8, 2026, including its recommendations on TVR structure and rate design, customer protections, opt-out TVRs, and the benefits of TVR. The Department also requests that DOER include in its presentation supplemental information, recommendations, and analysis of: • the potential benefits of TVR, including analysis conducted by DOER, the Massachusetts EDCs, or state agencies or EDCs in other jurisdictions; • realized benefits of TVR, leveraging quantitative and qualitative analysis from other jurisdictions; and, • the potential benefits of opt-out TVRs versus opt-in TVRs and any additional information, analysis, or insights related to DOER’s recommendation for an opt-out TVR including, but not limited to, the success and benefits of opt-out TVRs in other jurisdictions.

See notice for full agenda and questions.

Following the technical conference, stakeholders may submit to the Department copies of written presentation materials, comments, or other information within the scope of this agenda. These materials must be non-duplicative, responsive to this agenda’s discussion topics and questions, and submitted no later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on Thursday, November 5, 2026.