Eversource and Avangrid Defeat Competitor’s Antitrust Appeal

Eversource Energy and Avangrid Inc. didn’t violate antitrust law by buying and refusing to release excess natural gas transmission capacity, the First Circuit said in affirming dismissal of a competitor’s lawsuit.

PNE Energy Supply LLC sued the energy companies after a report alleged the firms were able to increase New England electricity prices by 20% by reducing the capacity of the Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline. The report, published by the Environmental Defense Fund, claimed the practice cost consumers $3.6 billion in surcharges between 2013 and 2016.

The lawsuit is similar to a challenge by electricity consumers that the U.S. ...