Bill > S2161

This bill establishes the Department of Utilities Disaster Relief Fund, which will be funded through assessments on gas companies under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The purpose of the fund is to mitigate any rate hikes that would otherwise result from emergency events, accidents, insolvency, or bankruptcy affecting gas companies. The DPU can increase the assessment annually up to the consumer price index for the Northeast region, and an additional assessment will be made for any gas companies that incur a penalty under the pay ratio surtax. The fund is intended to ensure that these events do not result in rate increases passed on to ratepayers.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2161