ELM Urges Progress on All-Electric Heating & Non-Gas Alternatives

October 7, 2025 – The Environmental League of Massachusetts, along with a coalition of partners, submitted joint comments to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on utilities’ Climate Compliance Plans (D.P.U. 25-40 through 25-45). In partnership, ELM urged the DPU to clarify that gas utilities’ “Obligation to Serve” does not require 100% customer participation before a neighborhood can move forward with all-electric heating and non-gas alternatives. 

ELM argued that utilities’ outdated interpretation of their service obligations is halting the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition and keeping customers tied to costly, polluting gas infrastructure. The 2024 Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers authorized the DPU to “vary the uniformity of the availability of natural gas service” and consider climate ramifications when determining whether customers may demand expanded service. 

“Public utilities exist to serve the public good – not to endlessly preserve outdated technology and business models,” said Amy Boyd Rabin, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “The Legislature provided the DPU with clear authority to act in our communities’ and environment’s best interest and transition our state off fossil fuels. Doing so is at the heart of how we build a brighter Commonwealth.” 

The joint comments emphasize that: 

• The DPU has clear authority to require utilities to pursue clean energy alternatives and retire gas pipelines, even when not all customers agree on electrification 

• Waiting for unanimous neighborhood participation would stall progress and raise y costs, especially for  low-income and environmental justice communities. 

• Massachusetts has managed major energy shifts before, such as moving from manufactured coal gas to natural gas, and can do so again. 

The authors call on the Department of Public Utilities to issue an order confirming its authority to direct utilities toward clean energy.  

ELM partnered with fellow intervenors the Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Club, and Acadia Center, and non-party signatories Black Swan Labs, Gas Transition Allies, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Pipeline Awareness Network for the Northeast. Read more in the submitted comments and on Amy Boyd Rabin’s LinkedIn.