Budget Amendment ID: FY2024-S3-3

ENV 3

Commission to Study Energy Rate Procurement Related to Investor-owned Utilities and Consumer Relief

Messrs. Moore, Tarr, Feeney and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section ___ the following section: -

“SECTION __. There shall be a commission to study, examine, make recommendations and draft legislation relative to (1) energy rate procurement by investor-owned utilities within the commonwealth; and (2) methods to provide relief to residents of the commonwealth from substantial energy rate increases.

The commission shall consist of: the chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; 4 members appointed by the governor, 3 of whom shall reside in the eastern, central and western regions of the commonwealth, respectively, and 1 of whom shall be an employee of a municipality that operates a municipal-owned utility; the chair of the department of public utilities or a designee; the commissioner of the department of energy resources or a designee; the attorney general or a designee; 1 member appointed by Eversource Energy, 1 member appointed by National Grid; 1 member appointed by Unitil; and 1 member appointed by the National Consumer Law Center.

The commission shall study and draft legislation to improve applicable statutes, regulations and policies related to energy rate procurement by investor-owned utilities within the commonwealth.

The commission shall study and draft legislation to establish an emergency interest-free payment plan program for residents of the commonwealth who receive service through an investor-owned utility. The program shall afford such residents of the commonwealth with the ability to defer applicable utility payments for the duration of the emergency period, without incurring interest or fees, when an emergency has led to substantially higher energy rates in the commonwealth.

The legislation shall include, but shall not be limited to, (1) emergency activation triggers or thresholds, including but not limited to, economic, geopolitical or environmental factors; (2) eligibility for both low-income and middle-income residents of the commonwealth; and (3) program termination procedures following the conclusion of the emergency situation, including notice to residents utilizing the program and a repayment timeframe.

The commission shall file its recommendations and draft legislation with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives not later than one year after the effective date of this act.”