delivered to the city-gate connecting the Company’s system to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline. The second contract will provide up to 3,000 Dth per day of LNG trucking from the Everett Marine Terminal to the Company’s Westminster LNG facility.
This Agreement ensures that the Everett Marine Terminal (EMT), which plays a critical role in both the Company’s and the New England energy market’s efficient and reliable operation, will continue to be available for the next six winter seasons. A six year agreement was also requested by Boston Gas Company, Eversource Gas Company, and NSTAR Gas Company. Fitchburg and the other LDCs received an Order on May 17, 2024 approving the agreements.
In D.P.U. 20-80-B, the MDPU directed the Company and other LDCs to include in their inaugural CCPs the following information: (1) whether, and to what extent, the Agreements have facilitated the Companies’ plans to meet GHG emission reduction goals in compliance with the Global Warming Solutions Act; (2) a description of the Companies’ efforts to reduce customer demand for natural gas; and (3) a description of the Companies’ efforts to reduce or eliminate their reliance on EMT, including, but not limited to (i) the costs, feasibility, and timelines for each alternative identified; and (ii) a description of how each alternative identified would contribute to GHG emissions reductions. The Company reported this information to the MDPU in its inaugural CCP on April 1, 2025 and will continue to file this annually through 2030.
Unitil Corporation – Merger of Bangor Natural Gas, Inc. - On July 15, 2024, Unitil, Northern Utilities, Hearthstone Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Hope Companies, Inc. (HUI), PHC Utilities, Inc. (PHC), and Bangor Natural Gas Company filed a Joint Petition requesting that the MPUC approve the merger of Bangor into Unitil pursuant to a July 8, 2024 Stock Purchase Agreement among PHC, HUI and Unitil. Furthermore, Unitil requested that the MPUC issue an order excusing Bangor and Unitil from certain regulatory conditions and obligations imposed upon Bangor or its affiliates in conjunction with prior reorganizations of Bangor. Unitil filed a Stipulation supporting the proposed merger, signed by all parties to the docket, on December 4, 2024. Among other provisions, Unitil and Bangor agreed that Bangor would not file a general rate case prior to January 1, 2027. The MPUC issued an Order approving the Stipulation on December 18, 2024. In a separate Order issued January 14, 2025, the MPUC approved the proposed long-term debt facility. Unitil completed the acquisition of Bangor on January 31, 2025.
Unitil Corporation – Merger of Maine Natural Gas Company - On May 9, 2025, Unitil, Northern Utilities, Bangor, Avangrid Enterprises, Inc. and Maine Natural Gas filed a Joint Petition requesting that the MPUC approve the merger of Maine Natural Gas into Unitil pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement among Avangrid and Unitil. A procedural schedule has been established which includes discovery, technical conferences, testimonies and briefs. To comply with the statutory timeframe of 180 days, deliberations are scheduled to be held no later than early November 2025. This matter remains pending.
Unitil Corporation – Merger of Aquarion Water Companies - On May 6, 2025, Unitil announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts Inc., Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, Inc., and Abenaki Water Co., Inc. (the Aquarion Companies) from the Aquarion Water Authority (AWA).
On May 8, 2025, Eversource Energy (Eversource), the AWA, and Unitil submitted an amended and restated petition to the MDPU for approval of a change of control of Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts, Inc. (AWC-MA). This matter remains pending.
On May 8, 2025, Unitil, Eversource, Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, Inc., (AWC-NH), Abenaki Water Company (Abenaki) and AWA filed a motion to amend the petition originally filed on April 10, 2025 by Eversource. AWC-NH, Abenaki and AWA, requesting that the NHPUC approve the acquisition of AWC-NH and Abenaki by Unitil. This matter remains pending.
On May 23, 2025, pursuant to 35-A M.R.S. § 708, Northern Utilities filed a request that the MPUC grant an exemption from approval of the reorganization that will be triggered by the anticipated acquisition by Unitil of the three water utilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The MPUC has previously granted Maine public utilities exemptions from regulatory approval of reorganizations under circumstances similar to those presented in this case involving the acquisition of companies outside of Maine by a utility’s holding company parent that will have no direct financial or operational impact on the Maine utility. Based on MPUC precedent in similar reorganizations, Northern Utilities requested an exemption from Section 708 approval of Unitil’s acquisition of the Aquarion MA-NH Companies. In the alternative, if the MPUC declines to grant the requested exemption, then Northern Utilities requested that the MPUC approve the reorganization pursuant to Section 708. This matter remains pending.
Northern Utilities / Granite State - Firm Capacity Contract - Northern Utilities relies on the transportation of gas supply over its affiliate Granite State pipeline to serve its customers in the Maine and New Hampshire service areas. Granite State facilitates critical upstream interconnections with interstate pipelines and third party suppliers essential to Northern Utilities’ service to its customers. Northern Utilities reserves firm capacity through a contract with Granite State, which is renewed annually. Pursuant to statutory requirements in Maine and orders of the MPUC, Northern Utilities submits an annual informational report requesting approval of a one-year extension of its 12-month contract for firm pipeline capacity reservation, with an evergreen provision and three-month termination notification requirement. On March 31, 2025, Northern Utilities submitted an annual informational report requesting