Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications

Affordable & Equitable Utility Service

Utility services are necessary for health, safety, and economic security. At the same time, big changes and investments are needed to address climate change. NCLC works to make energy and utility service affordable while supporting equitable access to renewable energy, energy efficiency upgrades, and other technologies that reduce energy usage and emissions.

Protecting Access to Essential Utility Service During Extreme Heat and Climate Change

July 16, 2024

This report examines the impacts of extreme heat on utility consumers and recommends immediate actions policymakers and regulators must take to safeguard utility services for under-resourced consumers facing extreme weather. 

Read More about: Protecting Access to Essential Utility Service During Extreme Heat and Climate Change
July 12, 2024
May 21, 2024

Recent

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Reply Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

December 2, 2024

Coalition Letter to U.S. DOE on the Consumer Impacts of Gas Exports

November 21, 2024

Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

November 14, 2024

Revised Comments of the National Consumer Law Center on Behalf of our Low Income Clients, DPU 24-15

November 4, 2024

CA Response of Center for Accessible Technology and NCLC Regarding a Ruling on TURN’s Emergency Motion (Extreme Heat Protections)

October 22, 2024

Comments in Support of the FCC’s Proposed Rule to Unlock Cell Phones (Handsets)

October 18, 2024

AI Infrastructure Sign On Letter to the White House

October 4, 2024

WBUR: Bigger electric bill breaks are coming for some low-income residents in Mass.

October 4, 2024

MassLive: Time for Mass. to gear up for ‘summer preparedness’ (Viewpoint)

September 20, 2024

Comments & Letters

View All for Comments & Letters
Reply Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

December 2, 2024

Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

November 14, 2024

Revised Comments of the National Consumer Law Center on Behalf of our Low Income Clients, DPU 24-15

November 4, 2024

CA Response of Center for Accessible Technology and NCLC Regarding a Ruling on TURN’s Emergency Motion (Extreme Heat Protections)

October 22, 2024

Comments in Support of the FCC’s Proposed Rule to Unlock Cell Phones (Handsets)

October 18, 2024

AI Infrastructure Sign On Letter to the White House

October 4, 2024

Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates Supplemental Comments Re: Low-Income Affordability Mechanism

August 19, 2024

Comments in DPU 24-15, Inquiry into Energy Burden and Energy Affordability

March 1, 2024

Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates Comments to Maryland Public Service Commission Regarding a Low-Income Affordability Program

January 31, 2024

Reports

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Protecting Access to Essential Utility Service During Extreme Heat and Climate Change

July 16, 2024

Community Solar: Expanding Access and Safeguarding Low-Income Families

February 26, 2024

Massachusetts Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP) Working Group Final Report and Recommendations

January 31, 2024

Water Affordability Advocacy Toolkit

June 1, 2022

Advancing Equity in Utility Regulation

November 16, 2021

More Can & Must Be Done to Prevent Utility Consumers from Losing Service Due to Mounting COVID-Driven Arrearages in Massachusetts and Other States

November 15, 2021

Reversing Energy System Inequity: Urgency and Opportunity During the Clean Energy Transition

March 6, 2019

Competing to Overcharge Consumers: The Competitive Electric Supplier Market in Massachusetts

Protecting Seriously Ill Consumers from Utility Disconnections: What States Can Do to Save Lives Now

Issue Briefs

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Rooftop Solar: Consumer Protection Recommendations

July 12, 2024

Retail ‘Choice’: A Bad Deal for Consumers and the Planet

September 22, 2023

State Digital Justice Advocacy Toolkit

August 16, 2023

Retail “Choice” in Electricity Markets: A Bad Deal for Consumers and the Climate

March 30, 2023

Tariff-based On-Bill Financing: Assessing the Risks for Low-Income Consumers 

February 14, 2023

A Guide for Advocates to Recent Federal COVID-19 Relief to Help Consumers Pay for Essential Energy, Water, and Broadband Service

September 28, 2022

Fact Sheet: Consumer Protections and the Affordable Connectivity Program

June 28, 2022

Congress Must Act: Millions of Families Are At Risk of Losing Utility Service During the COVID-19 Crisis

February 25, 2021

The Need for Utility Reporting of Key Credit and Collections Data Now and After the Covid-19 Crisis

April 8, 2020

Testimony

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Testimony in Support of MD SB1, Augustine (as amended in the Senate EEE)—Electricity and Gas—Retail Supply—Regulation and Consumer Protections

March 26, 2024

Testimony in Support of Maryland SB1 Electricity and Gas—Retail Supply—Regulation and Consumer Protection

January 24, 2024

Testimony in Support of S.2106/H.3196, An Act Relative to Electric Ratepayer Protections

June 5, 2023

Testimony to the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change Hearing on The Future of Gas 

April 4, 2023

Testimony of Olivia Wein Before the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee Hearing on HB 1224—Electricity and Gas—Energy Suppliers—Assisted Customers

March 9, 2020

Testimony Regarding Deceptive and Abusive Practices by Competitive Energy Suppliers (Massachusetts)

January 27, 2020

Testimony Before the MA Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy Regarding Competitive Energy Suppliers

January 14, 2020

Press Releases & News

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WBUR: Bigger electric bill breaks are coming for some low-income residents in Mass.

October 4, 2024

MassLive: Time for Mass. to gear up for ‘summer preparedness’ (Viewpoint)

September 20, 2024

New Report Calls for Utility Protections Amid Extreme Heat

July 16, 2024

U.S. Senate’s Rollback of Furnace Standards Would Add Costs and Pollution

May 21, 2024

Groups Celebrate Updated Energy Efficiency Rules for New U.S.-Backed Homes

April 25, 2024

Joint Statement on Massachusetts Senate Passage of S.2738, an Act Relative to Electric Ratepayer Protections

April 25, 2024

New Report Details How Community Solar Programs Can Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income People and Address Climate Change

February 26, 2024

Illinois Commerce Commission Approves Robust Discounted Utility Rates

November 16, 2023

Agreement on Home Appliance Efficiency Standards Will Preserve Consumer Features and Deliver Remarkable Energy Savings

September 13, 2023

A New Customer Bill of Rights: Affordable Utility Services

September 28, 2022

CO-AUTHORED WITH DERON LOVAAS AND LARRY LEVINE (NRDC) Utility services–electricity, heat, water, sanitation, telecommunications, and internet access–are essential to health, safety, and daily life. The vital need for uninterrupted utility service was evident before the coronavirus pandemic, but the COVID-19 public health emergency has reinforced the essential nature of utility service and the threats of…

Read More about: A New Customer Bill of Rights: Affordable Utility Services
April 28, 2021
March 1, 2021

Featured

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Reply Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

December 2, 2024

Coalition Letter to U.S. DOE on the Consumer Impacts of Gas Exports

November 21, 2024

Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

November 14, 2024

Revised Comments of the National Consumer Law Center on Behalf of our Low Income Clients, DPU 24-15

November 4, 2024

CA Response of Center for Accessible Technology and NCLC Regarding a Ruling on TURN’s Emergency Motion (Extreme Heat Protections)

October 22, 2024

Comments in Support of the FCC’s Proposed Rule to Unlock Cell Phones (Handsets)

October 18, 2024

AI Infrastructure Sign On Letter to the White House

October 4, 2024

WBUR: Bigger electric bill breaks are coming for some low-income residents in Mass.

October 4, 2024

MassLive: Time for Mass. to gear up for ‘summer preparedness’ (Viewpoint)

September 20, 2024

Comments & Letters

View All for Comments & Letters
Comments filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities re: Docket No. 20-80

May 6, 2022

Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission re: the Affected Communities Discussed at the April 16th Office of Public Participation Workshop

April 23, 2021

Request of the Office of Attorney General, Office of Ratepayer Advocacy for Investigation into the Effect of the Individual Residential Supply Market on Low-Income Ratepayer Assistance Programs

January 10, 2020

Support Testimony – MA S. 2150/H. 3352, An Act Relative to Electric Ratepayer Protections

July 28, 2021

Reply Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

December 2, 2024

Comments to the FCC on Data Caps in Consumer Broadband Plans

November 14, 2024

Revised Comments of the National Consumer Law Center on Behalf of our Low Income Clients, DPU 24-15

November 4, 2024

CA Response of Center for Accessible Technology and NCLC Regarding a Ruling on TURN’s Emergency Motion (Extreme Heat Protections)

October 22, 2024

Comments in Support of the FCC’s Proposed Rule to Unlock Cell Phones (Handsets)

October 18, 2024

Reports

View All for Reports
Reversing Energy System Inequity: Urgency and Opportunity During the Clean Energy Transition

March 6, 2019

Competing to Overcharge Consumers: The Competitive Electric Supplier Market in Massachusetts

Protecting Seriously Ill Consumers from Utility Disconnections: What States Can Do to Save Lives Now

Issue Briefs

View All for Issue Briefs
Powerpoint: A Legacy of Deception, Fraud and Consumer Rip-Offs

February 25, 2020

PowerPoint: Disparate Energy Insecurity Impacts

April 14, 2020

Testimony

View All for Testimony
Testimony Before the MA Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy Regarding Competitive Energy Suppliers

January 14, 2020

Testimony in Support of MD SB1, Augustine (as amended in the Senate EEE)—Electricity and Gas—Retail Supply—Regulation and Consumer Protections

March 26, 2024

Testimony in Support of Maryland SB1 Electricity and Gas—Retail Supply—Regulation and Consumer Protection

January 24, 2024

Testimony in Support of S.2106/H.3196, An Act Relative to Electric Ratepayer Protections

June 5, 2023

Testimony to the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change Hearing on The Future of Gas 

April 4, 2023

Testimony of Olivia Wein Before the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee Hearing on HB 1224—Electricity and Gas—Energy Suppliers—Assisted Customers

March 9, 2020

Testimony Regarding Deceptive and Abusive Practices by Competitive Energy Suppliers (Massachusetts)

January 27, 2020

Press Releases

View All for Press Releases
New Report Calls for Utility Protections Amid Extreme Heat

July 16, 2024

U.S. Senate’s Rollback of Furnace Standards Would Add Costs and Pollution

May 21, 2024

Groups Celebrate Updated Energy Efficiency Rules for New U.S.-Backed Homes

April 25, 2024

Joint Statement on Massachusetts Senate Passage of S.2738, an Act Relative to Electric Ratepayer Protections

April 25, 2024

New Report Details How Community Solar Programs Can Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income People and Address Climate Change

February 26, 2024

Illinois Commerce Commission Approves Robust Discounted Utility Rates

November 16, 2023

Agreement on Home Appliance Efficiency Standards Will Preserve Consumer Features and Deliver Remarkable Energy Savings

September 13, 2023

U.S. Consumers Will Save $30 Billion with Proposed Residential Gas Furnace Standards

June 13, 2022

Key Broadband Affordability Wins in Biden’s Infrastructure Bill

November 8, 2021

From the NCLC Digital Library

Access to Utility Service

NCLC’s treatise on delivery of water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications, with everything a practitioner needs to know on metering, payments, telecommunications, and assistance programs.

Read Chapter One

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