Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities meeting

On August 1, 2019, Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company, each d/b/a National Grid (“Companies”), filed with the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) their 2016‑2018 Three‑Year Energy Efficiency Term Report (“Term Report”).  The filing documents actual energy savings, benefits, and expenditures resulting from the implementation of the Companies’ 2016‑2018 three‑year energy efficiency plan approved by the Department in Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company, D.P.U. 15‑161 (2016).  The Department has docketed this matter as D.P.U. 19-94. 

The Department will review the Term Report to determine, among other things, whether the Companies:  (1) reported their program savings, benefits, and costs accurately and reliably; and (2) implemented their energy efficiency programs in a manner that was consistent with statutory requirements and the Department‑approved three‑year plan.  See G.L. c. 25, § 19(d)(2); G.L. c. 25, § 21(b)(3); G.L. c. 25, §§ 19(a) and (c).  Based on the results of the investigation, the Department will approve final recovery of costs incurred during the three‑year term, including performance incentive payments.  G.L. c. 25, § 19.

The Department will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the Companies’ filing.  The hearing will take place on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Department’s offices, One South Station, 5th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.  A procedural conference will immediately follow the public hearing.  Any person who desires to comment may do so at the time and place noted above or submit written comments to the Department not later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on October 30, 2019. 

Any person who desires to participate in the evidentiary phase of this proceeding must file a written petition for leave to intervene with the Department no later than the close of business on October 21, 2019.  A petition for leave to intervene must satisfy the timing and substantive requirements of 220 CMR 1.03.  Receipt by the Department, not mailing, constitutes filing and determines whether a petition has been timely filed.  A petition filed late may be disallowed as untimely, unless good cause is shown for waiver under 220 CMR 1.01(4).  To be allowed, a petition under 220 CMR 1.03(1) must satisfy the standing requirements of G.L. c. 30A § 10.  All responses to petitions to intervene must be filed by the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on October 28, 2019. 

An original hard copy and one copy of all written comments or petitions to intervene must be filed with Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, 5th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts  02110.  One copy of all written comments or petitions to intervene should also be sent to the Companies’ attorney, Stacey M. Donnelly, Esq., National Grid, 40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, and by e‑mail, Stacey.Donnelly@nationalgrid.com.

All written comments or petitions to intervene should also be submitted to the Department in electronic format using one of the following methods:  (1) by e‑mail attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and to the Hearing Officer, Jessica Ellis, Jessica.Ellis@mass.gov, or (2) on a CD‑ROM or USB drive.  The text of the e‑mail or CD‑ROM/USB must specify:  (1) the docket numbers of the proceeding (D.P.U. 19‑94); (2) the name of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document.  The electronic filing should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing.  The electronic file name should identify the document, but should not exceed 50 characters in length.  All documents submitted in electronic format will be posted on the Department’s website:  website at https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/DPU/Fileroom/dockets/bynumber (enter “19‑94”). 

Reasonable accommodations at public or evidentiary hearings for people with disabilities are available upon request.  Contact the Department’s ADA Coordinator at DPUADACoordinator@mass.gov or 617-305‑3500.  Include a description of the accommodation you will need, including as much detail as you can.  Also include a way the Department can contact you if we need more information.  Please provide as much advance notice as possible.  Last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be able to be accommodated.  In addition, to request materials in accessible formats (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), contact the Department’s ADA Coordinator at DPUADACoordinator@mass.gov or 617-305‑3500.

Any person desiring further information regarding the Companies’ filing should contact Stacey M. Donnelly, Esq. at 781-907‑1833.  Any person desiring further information regarding this notice should contact Jessica Ellis, Hearing Officer, Department of Public Utilities, at 617-305‑3500.