Your annual National Grid bill could go up by $440 next year - WWNY

Your annual National Grid bill could go up by $440 next year

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - National Grid customers could see their annual home energy bills skyrocket by more than $440 next year.

The utility has asked the state Public Service Commission to approve rate hikes of 15 percent for electricity and 20 percent for natural gas.

The typical household would see their monthly electric bill go up by $19. That’s an extra $228 a year.

As for gas, the monthly bill would increase by $18. That’s an additional $216.

Combined, the typical customer who uses electricity and gas would see their energy bill soar by $444 a year.

According to National Grid’s filing with the PSC, the proposed bill increases “are largely driven by a combination of inflation and cost factors beyond National Grid’s immediate control, including core business cost increases, safety and compliance mandates, energy efficiency, and market conditions (return and interest rates).”

In its filing, the utility says the cost of some equipment has more than doubled in recent years. It points to the increased prices of transformers, poles, and cable.

National Grid also says it must update its aging infrastructure, strengthen its electric network against intense weather, and comply with clean energy laws.

If the PSC approves the request, the rate increases will go into effect next spring.

However, the utility has told the state it wants to spread out the additional costs over four years. National Grid says that could reduce the first-year increase by more than half.

“We’re committed to doing all that we can to minimize any impact on our customers while delivering on the critical safety, reliability and clean energy priorities our customers expect and deserve. Recognizing the imperative to manage customers’ bills, these filings balance the need for continued investment with the need to maintain affordability and protect our most vulnerable customers,” said Phil DeCicco, New York General Counsel at National Grid.

The utility says its PSC filing is focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, improving customer service, providing additional assistance to vulnerable customers, promoting economic growth, and preparing electricity and gas networks for the energy transition that will rely more heavily on clean energy sources.

National Grid says it plans to increase the number of consumer advocates to help vulnerable customers, including in disadvantaged communities, eliminating credit card fees for residential bill payments and adopting new technologies to provide more self-service options for customers.

The utility says its rate hike requestion comes after years of energy price stability.

It points out that total bills are lower than they were 16 years ago when adjusted for inflation.

It says average residential electricity bills are approximately 20 percent lower in 2023 than they were in 2007 and natural gas bills are 40 percent lower over the same time period.

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