A deadline is approaching for public comment in a state investigation by the Department of Public Utilities into rising electricity and natural gas prices.

 

The deadline is Thursday, April 30, for submitting comment in the DPU's investigation, which aims to study why utility costs are rising and potentially change customers' energy bills to make them more understandable.

 

The DPU opened an inquiry in December, noting that “electricity and natural gas costs have risen more rapidly than inflation, resulting in economic hardship for many customers.”

 

The investigation opened after the DPU heard a request by natural gas supplier Liberty Utilities to jack up Fall River area customers’ rates this year and into the next decade.

That request has resulted in a 14.5% average increase in natural gas rates for customers in the Fall River area.

 

See more at heraldnews.com.