Liberty is proud to deliver safe, reliable service to our customers and is an active, dedicated partner in the communities we serve. Keeping your service safe and reliable is at the forefront of everything we do. 

A “rate case” is a formal process where a utility company, like Liberty, seeks approval from the Department to adjust the rates it charges its customers. This administrative process before the Department allows a utility company to propose new rates that reflect the actual costs of providing distribution service. 

We are required by law to file a rate adjustment at least once every 10 years. Our last rate case was filed in 2015. 

• It will maintain compliance with requirement to file at least every ten years.
• It will meet other new regulations to ensure pipeline safety that have been implemented since our last filing.
• It will help us continue to provide safe, reliable service through necessary investments in our infrastructure.
• It allows Liberty to propose new rates that reflect the actual costs of providing distribution services.

Specifically, our recent filing proposes new customer charges and distribution rates, as well as new reconciliation mechanisms to recover costs associated with new legal requirements. 

In making this request, we carefully and prudently assessed many factors including:

• inflation and the increased cost of materials
• necessary infrastructure investments to maintain safety and reliability
• new regulations and requirements
• programs and initiatives aimed at improving the way we serve customers
• the overall impact of this rate adjustment on our customers

Our filing strikes a delicate balance of these factors. If approved, the new rates will take effect in 2026.  

Liberty’s last base rate (Customer Charge and Distribution Rates) update was filed in 2015. Since then, Liberty has: 

• Invested millions in our infrastructure through the implementation of automated meter reading, the ongoing replacement of leak-prone pipe through our gas system enhancement program (GSEP), the construction and launch of a liquified natural gas (LNG) conversion plant to enhance system reliability in the cold New England winters, and upgrades to our system design to prepare us for the future. 
• Upgraded critical software systems to improve operations and service to our customers. 
• Upgraded our processes and programs to remain in compliance with federal FEMSA regulations for pipeline safety that have been introduced since 2015.

If approved, the average monthly total bill impact for a typical residential heating customer is estimated to be an increase of approximately $57, or 37 percent, for the Company’s Fall River and North Attleboro service area customers, and an increase of approximately $64, or 55 percent, for the Company’s Blackstone service area customers.

The Company’s Fall River and North Attleboro service area includes customers in Fall River, North Attleboro, Plainville, Swansea, Somerset, and Westport. The Company’s Blackstone service area includes customers in Blackstone, South Bellingham, and parts of Wrentham.