On June 13, 2025, Liberty filed a petition to adjust its base distribution rates. Utilities regulated by the DPU can file petitions to recover reasonable and prudent costs that have been incurred to provide safe and reliable service to its customers and have the opportunity to earn a fair and reasonable rate of return on prudently invested capital.
The company’s last rate case with the DPU was in 2015 (DPU 15-75).
Liberty seeks to increase its gas distribution rates to generate approximately $30 million in additional revenues. According to the Company, the net effect of the request is expected to be a 55.5 percent rate increase, on average, across all customers on a total bill basis.
The DPU will review the new proposal, filed in docket DPU 25-85.
In each base distribution rate proceeding conducted by the DPU under section 94, the DPU shall design base distribution rates using a cost-allocation method that is based on equalized rates of return for each customer class; provided, however, that if the resulting impact of employing this cost-allocation method for any 1 customer class would be more than 10 percent, the DPU shall phase in the elimination of any cross subsidies between rate classes on a revenue neutral basis phased in over a reasonable period as determined by the DPU. Section 94I
In this investigation, the DPU’s staff will review all written testimony, detailed cost data, and public comments. These documents will be filed in the docket, DPU 25-85. The DPU’s staff will also hold public and evidentiary hearings for this proceeding. The dates for those hearings will be posted once available.
Final Order and Summary
Potential Fall River/North Attleboro Service Area Bill Impacts – Residential
The DPU has issued an order on the proposed Settlement Agreement between the Attorney General, Company, and other stakeholders. Bill impacts of the Settlement will be submitted by the Company in compliance filings following the order.
Potential Blackstone Service Area Bill Impacts - Residential
The DPU has issued an order on the proposed Settlement Agreement between the Attorney General, Company, and other stakeholders. Bill impacts of the Settlement will be submitted by the Company in compliance filings following the order.
Potential Commercial and Industrial Bill Impacts
The DPU has issued an order on the proposed Settlement Agreement between the Attorney General, Company, and other stakeholders. Bill impacts of the Settlement will be submitted by the Company in compliance filings following the order.
Events
Four public hearings were scheduled. Please click on the links below for more details on each individual hearing.
Public Comment Period
The public comment period for the company's petition closed on October 15, 2025.
Additional Resources
- File comments or pleadings with the DPU
- Understanding your gas bill
-
Open PDF file, 124.87 KB, 25-85 Stamp Granted Procedural Schedule Extension (English, PDF 124.87 KB)
-
Open PDF file, 118.66 KB, Liberty Utilities Summary and Outreach Plan (English, PDF 118.66 KB)
-
Open PDF file, 1004.18 KB, 25-85 RESCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING (FALL RIVER) (English, PDF 1004.18 KB)