BOSTON (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is taking action against National Grid. Federal job cuts by the numbers: Will layoffs affect the economy? The DPU says the utility company can not charge more than 60 days of backpay after months of billing failures thousands of customers, according to NBC Boston. In a letter, they said that National Grid hasn't sent bills to an upwards of 35,000 of its customers since as far back as October.  The problem was heightened by National Grid's failure to report it to the DPU after it came to light in November. Now, they say the company can not charge those customers for any usage more than 60 days before their next bill, and they have to offer assistance to people who may not be able to pay two months at once.  The DPU said on Monday that timely and transparent billing "is a fundamental obligation of electric and gas distribution companies."  Local News Headlines DPU penalizes National Grid for billing errors that impacted thousands USPS changes begin Tuesday: How could your mail be affected Karen Read’s murder case retrial begins amid jury selection issues Cycling class kicks off Springfield Jewish Community Center’s Journey Across America: Coast to Coast fitness challenge WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less