State Holding Hearing On Eversource Rate Increase In Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Eversource is seeking to raise rates by 10 percent.
 
The company submitted a proposal to the Department of Public Utilities for such an increase and a local public hearing on the manner is scheduled for April 10 at the Berkshire Athenaeum.
 
The company is seeking to increase revenues by $35.7 million with the increase. Another $60.2 million is sought with increases to NStar customers in eastern Massachusetts, which is achieved through a 7 percent rate increase.
 
"Eversource's request addresses increases in operating and maintenance costs and capital costs associated with investments in the electric network since the last decision by the DPU approving a general distribution rate increase in 2011," Eversource wrote in an email announcing the hearing.
 
The state will weigh the proposal and then issue a decision by Nov. 30. The new rates would go into effect on January 1, 2018. It is estimated the average monthly bill in Western Massachusetts would go up by $11.64.
 
In the application, which includes NStar and Western Massachusetts Electric Co., the company says the increases will help with the undertaking of $400 million in capital investments over the next five year. Those investments, the company writes, are to improve reliability and develop electric vehicle infrastructure and electric storage capabilities.
 
The Department of Public Utilities has the ultimate say over the rate increase but Attorney General Maura Healey has opposed it. She has filed to be an intervener in the hearings. 
 
In January she wrote, "as a regulated public utility, Eversource is required to justify why the state should permit it to raise electric rates on residents and business customers ... Our initial evaluation shows that Eversource should be returning profits to customers as savings, not raising rates. We urge the DPU to reject Eversource's request for a rate hike."
 
The DPU will be holding one hearing on the rate increases at 7 p.m. on April 10. Written comments on it may be submitted to the DPU by May 31.

Tags: electricity,   eversource,   public hearing,   

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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

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