Mass. approves rate hike this winter for some Eversource gas customers
Massachusetts utility regulators approved higher natural gas rates for some Eversource customers. The Department of Public Utilities approved a base rate increase for customers of Eversource Gas of Massachusetts — which is the former Columbia Gas. The higher rates take effect with the start of the winter heating season on November 1. DPU said this rate hike will raise bills by 5.6% during the coldest months of the year.Combined with a 13-17% increase in the cost of gas and a 12% increase in other delivery fees, Eversource estimates bills will rise by as much as 17%.In exchange for the higher rates, Eversource will credit gas customers $20 on both their January and February bills, traditionally the most expensive months for heat. The company will collect that credit back without interest over the warm summer months, when gas usage is much lower.This rate approval comes just days after DPU partly denied a rate hike for Eversource’s other natural gas division, NSTAR, saying the company has not met performance standards it set in 2020. DPU says the denial will save customers $45 million this year. NSTAR will have to refile its rate plans with the state before the full impact on customer bills becomes clear.National Grid, the state’s other large gas distributor, had submitted rate plans that would lower delivery charges but keep customer bills largely flat overall compared to last winter due to a price increase in the cost of gas. Those plans were approved.
Massachusetts utility regulators approved higher natural gas rates for some Eversource customers.
The Department of Public Utilities approved a base rate increase for customers of Eversource Gas of Massachusetts — which is the former Columbia Gas. The higher rates take effect with the start of the winter heating season on November 1. DPU said this rate hike will raise bills by 5.6% during the coldest months of the year.
Combined with a 13-17% increase in the cost of gas and a 12% increase in other delivery fees, Eversource estimates bills will rise by as much as 17%.
In exchange for the higher rates, Eversource will credit gas customers $20 on both their January and February bills, traditionally the most expensive months for heat. The company will collect that credit back without interest over the warm summer months, when gas usage is much lower.
This rate approval comes just days after DPU partly denied a rate hike for Eversource’s other natural gas division, NSTAR, saying the company has not met performance standards it set in 2020. DPU says the denial will save customers $45 million this year. NSTAR will have to refile its rate plans with the state before the full impact on customer bills becomes clear.
National Grid, the state’s other large gas distributor, had submitted rate plans that would lower delivery charges but keep customer bills largely flat overall compared to last winter due to a price increase in the cost of gas. Those plans were approved.