As customers leave the gas system, remaining ratepayers absorb rising infrastructure costs. LMI households who cannot afford to electrify bear a disproportionate share of this burden.
MA new construction — primary heating fuel
Electric
Gas
12,556
Gas customers fully departed the system in 2023 alone (coalition filing, D.P.U. 25-40–45)
Annual gas line extension subsidies — paid by existing ratepayers
| State | Annual Cost | Status |
|---|
| Massachusetts | ~$160M/yr (avg. $9K per new customer) | Active |
$9,000
Average cost per new gas customer connection in Massachusetts, subsidized by all existing ratepayers. At ~18,000 new connections per year, this transfers ~$160 million annually from existing customers to new construction.
Sources: MA new construction data — Coalition comments on D.P.U. 25-40–45 (Rewiring America, Acadia Center, Sierra Club et al.); Mass Save quarterly reports. 12,556 departures — same coalition filing. MA $160M/$9K per customer — Green Energy Consumers Alliance, "Massachusetts Takes Bold Step To End Gas Line Subsidies," 2024.