Three utilities win approval for rate hikes

BOSTON — The Department of Telecommunications and Energy has approved increased rates for three public utilities in the state starting January 1 fir customers who will be paying at “standard offer” rates. The utilities, NStar, Massachusetts Electric and Fitchburg Gas & Electric will thus be able to pass on to their customers spikes in the cost of energy used by power plants despite the 1998 restructuring law which promised a reduction in rates. The increases could range from 4 to 12 percent. Exact rates depend on filings by the utilities expected late last week which had been delayed because the DTE ruling came several weeks after the companies had expected to start their rate increases. State Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly slammed the DTE for approving the rate hikes before it conducted the thorough investigation of the utilities’ finances as he had recommended. A spokesman for the DTE said any more delays in the rate hikes would only cost consumers more and undermine the stability of the utilities.