February 15, 2022 — Issue Brief

This issue brief updates two reports the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) previously released in February and November 2021 analyzing arrearage data reported by Massachusetts electric and gas companies to the Department of Public Utilities in docket 20-58.2 While, overall, utility customers are in a somewhat improved position compared to the summer of 2021, over three quarters of a million Massachusetts residential customers (794,947) were still behind on their electric or gas bills at the end of December 2021, owing nearly $674.7 million. The number of Massachusetts residential customers in arrears as well as the total amount owed moved in a positive, downward direction during the second half of 2021.