National Grid warns of pricey winter for electric customers

Photo/FreeDigitalPhotos.net Winter electric bills expected to rise.

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National Grid customers can expect a bit of sticker shock in their winter electric bills, with costs jumping by as much as 37 percent compared to last year, according to the utility.

In a recently filing with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to adjust electric and gas rates for the winter, National Grid said that customers would “see a significant increase in their bills beginning this November,” citing higher power supply prices for the expected increase.

According the utility, which serves most of Central Mass., a typical residential basic service customer using 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month will see an increase of 37 percent, or about $33, on monthly bills this winter (from November to April) versus the same period last winter.

“With the chance of another cold winter on the way, National Grid is very concerned about what higher energy costs mean for our customers,” said Marcy Reed, president in a statement. “Though we can’t control power supply prices, we can help our customers in other ways, which is why we urge Massachusetts residents to take full advantage of energy efficiency and payment programs that can help lower their bills.”

While electric costs are expected to rise, the company said that its natural gas customers will see a slight dip in monthly bills of between $2 and $5 (1 to 3 percent) compared to last winter due to a credit for its customers using more natural gas than anticipated in the face of a colder-than-expected heating season.