Massachusetts officials order utility companies to apply temporary reduction to customer gas bills

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has sent a letter to the five major gas companies that serve residents in the Bay State demanding that they reduce rates.

The DPU wrote to Berkshire Gas, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid and Unitil ordering them to reduce their customer’s gas bills by ay least five percent starting in March.

That order comes after residents spoke out against 30 percent rate hikes.

Our Boston affiliate WCVB reports that the DPU’s order is temporary and applies only to bills in March and April.