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S 2291

An Act protecting ratepayers from gas pipeline expansion costs

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Pat Jehlen

Prohibits Massachusetts gas utilities from recovering pipeline expansion costs from ratepayers, shifting infrastructure investment burden away from customer bills.

Accompanied a study order, see S2774
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Bill Summary · S 2291

Legislative bill overview

S 2291 proposes to shield ratepayers from bearing the costs of natural gas pipeline expansion projects in Massachusetts. The bill would restrict how gas utilities recover infrastructure investment costs from their customer base, effectively shifting financial responsibility away from end-users. This addresses concerns about who pays for expanding fossil fuel infrastructure as the state pursues climate and energy transition goals.

Why is this important

Gas utilities typically recover pipeline expansion costs through rate increases passed directly to customers, making ratepayers subsidize infrastructure development. This bill directly impacts household energy bills and raises questions about cost allocation during Massachusetts' transition away from fossil fuels. The outcome affects both consumer costs and utility business models in a state with aggressive clean energy targets.

Potential points of contention

  • Utility revenue model: Gas companies argue they need cost-recovery mechanisms to maintain service quality and invest in infrastructure; restricting this may reduce capital investment or force alternative rate structures
  • Climate policy alignment: Supporters see this as preventing ratepayer funding of fossil fuel expansion contradicting net-zero goals; opponents question whether discouraging gas infrastructure investment creates stranded assets or service gaps
  • Cost redistribution: Unclear who absorbs blocked costs—shareholders, taxpayers, or uncompensated capital—creating distributional fairness questions across stakeholder groups

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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