Gas System Enhancement Program, or GSEP – is the Commonwealth’s program to encourage gas utilities to excavate and replace hundreds of miles of aging and leaking natural gas pipelines. Basic delivery-related charges on residential gas bills are increasing at double-digit rates – 15% to 20% each year – and utility spending on GSEP and non-GSEP capital projects is largely responsible.
Utilities claim pipeline spending benefits customers, but it actually drives up customer bills while securing profits for shareholders. They continue expanding the gas system, even as Massachusetts targets net-zero emissions by 2050.
For more information:
- National Grid-style fact sheet and Eversource-style fact sheet by Mothers Out Front Newton
- “Rising Massachusetts gas bills: What role are GSEP and other infrastructure capital spending playing?” by Dorie Seavey, Senior Research Scientist at Groundwork Data.