Eversource Beats Consumer Challenge to ‘Junk’ $102 Reconnect Fee

Eversource Energy defeated a proposed class action challenging the $102 fee it charges customers to reconnect electricity, as a Massachusetts judge ruled that the alleged “junk fee” was duly approved by regulators and clearly communicated to consumers.

Accepting Eversource’s legal defenses, Superior Court Justice Debra Squires-Lee dismissed the case in a Monday order, finding the company’s imposition of the fee was protected because Department of Public Utilities regulators had signed off on the charge.

“Here, the DPU approved Eversource’s rates, including the $102 fee to reconnect meter services, and the fee is published in the tariff and disclosed ...