Energy experts fear that's already too late for the price shock to spur vital conservation this summer and help stave off more rolling blackouts. Lynch's initial proposal would raise rates anywhere from 7 percent to 61 percent. Since it unanimously approved an increase March 27, the commission has struggled to fashion specific rate hikes that will simultaneously recoup the billions the state has spent buying power, return the state's largest utilities to solvency and trigger conservation. The allocation the PUC approves will be retroactive to March 27. Charges for interim power use will be spread over the next 12 months, Lynch has said.
State law shields average residential customers from severe rate hikes on much of their power use.