NStar less silent on utility legislation
September 23, 2007
In addition to keeping its rebate program secret ("$150 rebate offer for that old fridge is a well-kept secret," Sept. 16) NStar keeps mum about its high rates, low customer satisfaction, and well-targeted political donations. Municipal electric utilities in towns like Concord, Braintree, and Hull cost residents less and give them more power to purchase green energy and allocate resources for local priorities such as underground wiring to reduce the blight of poles and wires in their neighborhoods. A bill to allow new municipal utilities in Massachusetts, sponsored by 53 legislators led by Representative Jay Kaufman, a Lexington Democrat, is in committee on Beacon Hill. NStar strongly opposes this legislation in order to preserve its monopoly. The Legislature must enact H3319 to give consumers new options.
Lois Biener,
chair, Newton Taskforce on Undergrounding Utilities.
Patrick Mehr,
member, Lexington's Electric Utility Committee.
Don Weitzman,
Brookline, chair, Selectmen's committee on Fuel Efficiency.