Federal Lawmakers Call Columbia Gas Rate Hike 'Abhorrent'

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- In a joint letter dated Jan. 7 and released Monday, U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Reps. Seth Moulton and Lori Trahan demanded that Columbia Gas reverse what the utility described as a routine rate increase. The lawmakers said the rate hike was another financial burden on customers in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover who were affected by the Sept. 13 gas explosions.

"It is abhorrent that Columbia Gas would attempt to institute even a business-as-usual rate increase on these communities that have been dealing with this disaster," the lawmakers said. The letter was sent after Columbia Gas resumed billing customers and noted in its newsletter to customers that "happens every year."

Utility rates in Massachusetts are approved by the Department of Public Utilities and are tied to prevalent gas rates, which tend to rise in the winter when demand is higher.

The Sept. 13 gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover killed one person and injured more than 20 others. The explosions damaged or destroyed more than 130 buildings and thousands of people went weeks and even months without gas service.

Never miss another local news story: Get free local news alerts right to your inbox.

Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).