The reprieve that Massachusetts experienced last year with lower than usual winter natural gas prices appears to have been a one-off, with National Grid announcing that residential customers can expect a $14 increase to their monthly bill this winter.
National Grid submitted its proposed Massachusetts natural gas prices to the Department of Public Utilities on Friday. In contrast to last winter, where the average customer saved $5 each month through a bill credit, the cost of natural gas is set to rise due in part to the expiration of that credit, according to National Grid. The company announced that the rising cost was also attributable to the need to support delivery costs as well as infrastructure improvements.
The company is proposing to change both supply and delivery rates for the winter. Supply – the portion of the bill the company passes to customers at no additional cost – is responsible for less than $1 of the anticipated monthly increase for the typical customer.
