In November, Eversource Energy filed basic service electric rates for its Massachusetts customers for the period starting January 1, 2018 that marked a 20% increase from previous rates. At the time, Eversource customers expected to see a $37 million increase—$12.2 million for customers in eastern Massachusetts (previously under NSTAR service), and $24.8 million for customers in western Massachusetts (previously under Western Massachusetts electric service). Attorney General Maura Healey opposed these rate increases when they were announced.
Last month, Congress passed a corporate tax cut, reducing tax rates for corporations from 35% to 21%. On the heels of the tax cut, Healey filed a motion with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on December 20 asking the DPU to recalculate Eversource rate increases based on the reduction in corporate taxes. Eversource listened. In a recent filing, the utility said it would pass on the savings from the tax cuts to its customers in eastern and western Massachusetts. Customers in eastern Massachusetts will see a $35.4 million decrease in basic service electric rates instead of a $12.2 million increase. Customers in western Massachusetts will see a $16.5 million increase in basic service electric rates instead of a $24.8 million increase. That amounts to a reduction in rates of $56 million. The reduction is proportionally larger for eastern Massachusetts because rates in eastern Massachusetts are higher than western Massachusetts.