News

National Grid proposes 21 percent increase for winter electric rates

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – Tuesday afternoon National Grid announced their requested winter electric rates, a significant increase from current costs but still less than last winter.

According to the utility provider, the cost will be 13.1 cents per kilowatt hour starting in November, meaning the average monthly bill for a customer will be $110.

The new rate is 21 percent higher than current rates but, National Grid says, nine percent lower than last winter.

“National Grid remains concerned about volatile and unpredictable electricity supply prices our customers are subject to,” Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts, said. “We urge Massachusetts residents to take full advantage of energy efficiency tips and other solutions such as payment programs that can help stabilize their bills.”

National Grid said they are also working to update their distribution rates, the cost a customer pays National Grid for providing the electricity, but those changes will not take effect until later in 2016.