Section 5.06 - Notice of General Rate Increases to Customers of Gas, Electric, and Water Companies(1) When any public utility makes application to the Department of Public Utilities for a general increase in rates pursuant to M.G.L. c. 159, §§ 19 and 20, or M.G.L. c. 164, § 94, it shall publish notice of such filing in a newspaper(s) of general circulation to be specified by the Department. This publication shall constitute legal notice pursuant to M.G.L. c. 159, §§ 19 and 20, or M.G.L. c. 164, § 94.(2) The newspaper notice shall be no smaller than 1/4 page (in width and length of one full sheet) and shall contain the following information in a format prescribed by the Department or, subject to Department approval, the Company may use an alternative format of its choosing: (a) total dollar amount of rate increase;(b) total percentage increase in annual revenues;(c) typical bill impact of proposed increase: 1. for heating and nonheating residential customers of electric companies;2. for heating and nonheating residential customers of gas companies; or3. for residential water use.(d) a statement indicating that the Department has suspended the effective date for the proposed increase until the specified date in order to conduct an investigation of its propriety (if applicable);(e) place, date, and time of public hearing;(f) company telephone number that can be called for further information;(g) mailing address of the Department for the submission of written comments.(3) This notice shall be published a minimum of two times with the first publication occurring at least 21 days before the date of the first public hearing. The second publication is to occur approximately seven days before the date of the first public hearing.(4) Concurrent with the filing of the rate request with the Department, the Company shall include a copy of the proposed notice in accordance with 220 CMR 5.06(2), as part of its filing. The proposed notice shall include all of the information contained in 220 CMR 5.06(2), except that the dates shall remain blank, and shall later be assigned by the Department.(5) Pursuant to 220 CMR 1.06(4)(d): Order of Notice, the Department shall issue an Order of Notice to the Company, requiring it to give notice of the filing and the hearing by publication. The Order of Notice shall be returned to the Department with proof of compliance with said Order not later than the first hearing.(6) In addition to notice by publication, the Company shall include an insert notice with its regular bill for charges transmitted to each customer during the next regular billing cycle immediately following the filing of the request for rate relief with the Department. Such insert notice shall include, at a minimum, all information required by 220 CMR 5.06(2) and, at the discretion of the Department, may include the place, date, and time of the public hearing and the suspension date.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1315, eff. 6/17/2016.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1347, eff. 9/8/2017.