National Grid's proposed rate hike could cost customers $600 more annually

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — National Grid has unveiled a revised three-year rate proposal that could significantly impact customers’ bills, potentially increasing costs by $600 annually within three years. The plan, which still requires approval from the state’s Public Service Commission, aims to spread the financial burden over three years rather than one.

The proposal would see customers paying approximately $22 more per month starting as soon as September, followed by an additional $14 and change in the second year, and an extra $13.52 in the third year.

National Grid said the plan was developed with input from customers, communities, environmental advocates, and other stakeholders. The company emphasized that the additional funds would be used to strengthen infrastructure, which they consider critical for maintaining quality service.

Jared Paventi, Media Manager for National Grid, explained, “The delivery section of your bill is what we’re talking about in this rate proposal. These are the costs of maintaining our system, responding to storms, and ensuring that when you flip that switch in your home, the lights turn on.”

However, not all customers are convinced. Aimee Derbyshire from Syracuse expressed her concerns, saying, “So I think it’s insane, first of all, it’s already extremely high. Most people can’t afford to pay it now, and I don’t know what they’re gonna do when it goes up again.”

Dave Moreau, also from Syracuse, noted, “There’s very few things I’ve seen going down so as long as it’s in line with inflation, I think that’s almost entirely justified. When it gets above inflation, then you start to wonder, okay, what’s going on? I would hope that they would try to use this as a last resort.”

Paventi acknowledged the rising costs faced by National Grid, stating, “Everything costs more today, whether you’re at the grocery store you are buying things for your home and for National Grid the equipment that it’s necessary to maintain our energy system. Five, ten years ago, as costs have continued to go up, our costs have continued up. We’ve had to unfortunately pass those costs along to our customers.”

Despite the potential burden on customers, the plan includes $290 million in bill discounts for vulnerable upstate New Yorkers, with investments aimed at low-income and disadvantaged communities.