Electricity Rates Rising Around the Country
Electricity, gas rates on the rise
By ASHLEY SMITH Telegraph Staff
asmith@nashuatelegraph.com
SALEM – National Grid, one of the largest energy companies that serve New Hampshire, announced it will increase rates for natural gas and electricity beginning Thursday.
The average customer who uses both will end up spending about an extra $25 a month on energy bills, following the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission's approval of the increases last month.
The typical residential electric customer will see an increase of $12.47 a month, or 17.3 percent, from $72.11 to $84.58. That estimate assumes the average customer uses 500 kilowatt-hours a month.
The average residential gas customer's monthly bill will increase by $12, or 13.3 percent, from $160 to $172, according to a statement from National Grid, which completed the acquisition of gas company KeySpan in August.
National Grid is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. In New Hampshire, the company has about 84,000 natural gas customers and 40,000 electric customers.
The company attributes the need for rate increases to a worldwide increase in energy costs. electricity for residential customers, but purchases it every six months from the lowest bidder.
The company said in a statement that it doesn't profit from the market-driven increases in energy prices and is looking for ways to lock in long-range natural gas pricing when costs go down.
National Grid encourages natural gas customers who are concerned about saving energy and lowering bills to visit www.keyspansaves.com or www.energysavers.gov for tips and rebate information.
Those with serious financial concerns may be eligible for National Grid's fuel assistance program, or the fuel assistance program sponsored by their local community action agency. The agency for Greater Nashua, which also offers electric assistance, is Southern New Hampshire Services. The phone number is 889-3440.
Electric customers looking for information or payment assistance can visit www.nationalgridus.com/granitestate.
