By: Paul Tuthill |
The Massachusetts Senate has approved a budget amendment that could mean refunds for people who received a surprise electric bill last winter.
The Senate on a voice vote approved an amendment that directs utility companies to refund millions of dollars to customers who were hit with a retroactive rate hike after they switched electricity providers in an effort to save money.
Republican State Senator Don Humason co-sponsored the amendment which now goes to a House-Senate conference committee on the state budget.
” I am honestly optimistic. Hopeful, at least, because I view this as a fairness issue. That being said I understand you don’t always win,” he said.
The state’s utility company’s collected more than $7 million from about 200,000 customers before Massachusetts utility regulators in April repealed the obscure rule that permitted the retroactive rate hikes.
