notes: Dominique Williams at (617) 963-2069 or email Domonique.Williams@state.ma.us. An ambitious effort to centralize the energy and housing resources in the state. From the document: Thank you for taking part in the Winter Heating and Energy Roundtable series, hosted by our office in partnership with various municipalities across the Commonwealth. As you know, the cost of heating a home with oil this winter is predicted to rise as much as 42 percent from last year, and the cost of heating with natural gas is expected to increase by about 32 percent. When such rising costs are coupled with an anticipated six percent hike in electricity costs, the Commonwealth is facing a far-reaching energy crisis. Indeed, some Massachusetts residents may be forced to choose between heating their homes and buying food, medication or other necessities. In Massachusetts, the Attorney General’s Office serves as the consumer advocate in state and federal regulatory proceedings involving natural gas and electric rates. In addition, our office must ensure that consumers are not subject to anticompetitive practices in the delivery and sale of petroleum products. Consumers should know that we are vigorously representing them to keep prices as low as possible, but much of the increase in price is related to the higher cost of natural gas, which, like oil, is set through world supply and demand. With consumers facing higher prices, we need to provide them with the tools to manage their energy use wisely. As prices are likely to remain high, we must provide consumers with more options to control their use through increased energy efficiency and technology, such as smart meters, and clean, on-site generation, such as combined heat and power systems. In addition, we must ensure that low-income residents are made aware of resources which can help them pay for some of their heating expenses. These Winter Heating and Energy Roundtables will provide a forum for sharing ideas and discussing the financial, public safety, and public health implications of rising energy costs, as well as the opportunities and best practices to help consumers manage the upcoming heating season. We will also discuss ways in which municipalities are implementing short- and long-term strategies for cost reduction and increased energy efficiency. It is important that we plan now for this potential impending consumer and health crisis before thermometers dip to the freezing mark. In preparation for these roundtables, we have collected the attached listing of statewide resources, which are available to help your constituents find fuel assistance, weatherization information, and energy conservation tips. We realize that this list is only the beginning. We plan to regularly update this information on our website, www.mass.gov/ago, and invite you to share with us any resources which you think may be helpful to Massachusetts residents and businesses. -> Dominique Williams at (617) 963-2069 or email Domonique: Williams@state.ma.us An ambitious effort to centralize the energy and housing resources in the state. From the document: Thank you for taking part in the Winter Heating and Energy Roundtable series, hosted by our office in partnership with various municipalities across the Commonwealth. As you know, the cost of heating a home with oil this winter is predicted to rise as much as 42 percent from last year, and the cost of heating with natural gas is expected to increase by about 32 percent. When such rising costs are coupled with an anticipated six percent hike in electricity costs, the Commonwealth is facing a far-reaching energy crisis. Indeed, some Massachusetts residents may be forced to choose between heating their homes and buying food, medication or other necessities. In Massachusetts, the Attorney General’s Office serves as the consumer advocate in state and federal regulatory proceedings involving natural gas and electric rates. In addition, our office must ensure that consumers are not subject to anticompetitive practices in the delivery and sale of petroleum products. Consumers should know that we are vigorously representing them to keep prices as low as possible, but much of the increase in price is related to the higher cost of natural gas, which, like oil, is set through world supply and demand. With consumers facing higher prices, we need to provide them with the tools to manage their energy use wisely. As prices are likely to remain high, we must provide consumers with more options to control their use through increased energy efficiency and technology, such as smart meters, and clean, on-site generation, such as combined heat and power systems. In addition, we must ensure that low-income residents are made aware of resources which can help them pay for some of their heating expenses. These Winter Heating and Energy Roundtables will provide a forum for sharing ideas and discussing the financial, public safety, and public health implications of rising energy costs, as well as the opportunities and best practices to help consumers manage the upcoming heating season. We will also discuss ways in which municipalities are implementing short- and long-term strategies for cost reduction and increased energy efficiency. It is important that we plan now for this potential impending consumer and health crisis before thermometers dip to the freezing mark. In preparation for these roundtables, we have collected the attached listing of statewide resources, which are available to help your constituents find fuel assistance, weatherization information, and energy conservation tips. We realize that this list is only the beginning. We plan to regularly update this information on our website, www.mass.gov/ago, and invite you to share with us any resources which you think may be helpful to Massachusetts residents and businesses.
client_contact_name: -> Dominique Williams
client_contact_phone: -> (617) 963-2069
client_contact_email: -> Williams@state.ma.us
areas_served: State of Massachusetts -> State of Massachusetts
eligibility: low and moderate income individuals -> Low and moderate income individuals

region: -> Statewide
areas_served: -> State of Massachusetts
eligibility: -> low and moderate income individuals
temp_perm: Temporary -> Permanent
mission: -> To consolidate the state's social service resources in one central location.