A new Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities policy designed to discourage continued growth in the use of natural gas would end existing subsidies for gas utility lines in all newly constructed homes and buildings.

Under the new policy, developers, home builders or home buyers who wanted gas heat would have to pay the full cost of the connection, which is currently around $9,000 per home. Under the state’s existing policy, utilities pass the cost of those gas hook-ups along to their existing customers in small monthly surcharges on their bills.

What may seem like a subtle policy change could go a long way to speeding up decarbonization efforts in the state, climate advocates said. The order is part of the state’s plan to wean residents off of gas and attain a statewide goal of net-

See Full Page