The settlement agreements were separately negotiated and filed in each state but reflect a number of common features. These settlements include commitments by Unitil with respect to Northern Utilities’s (Northern) rates, customer service and operations during and after the transition of Northern’s management and business operations from NiSource, Northern’s current parent company, to Unitil.
Northern will implement enhanced safety and reliability programs and upgrade the customer service quality programs for customers in both states. Unitil will also conduct a study in collaboration with parties in both states for potential changes in organization or regulation of Granite State Gas Transmission, which Unitil is also acquiring from NiSource.
Mark Collin, senior vice president and CFO of Unitil, said: We are gratified by the willingness of all parties to work effectively towards a common goal, the best interests of the customers of Northern. These settlements provide a fair and appropriate framework and a predictable regulatory roadmap for Unitil’s new gas distribution businesses in Maine and New Hampshire, and we look forward to timely approval, closing and transition.
