PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — As we enter the colder months, utility companies in Southern New England are starting to charge customers more money.
On Tuesday, Rhode Island Energy‘s natural gas customers will begin to see an average rate hike of about 9.6%, which is about $89 annually, according to the R.I. Public Utilities Commission (PUC). For low-income customers, it will be 5.2%, or about $58 annually.
A 47% electricity rate increase went into effect last month, meaning customers are already paying an average of $52 more per month for electricity.
Both rate hikes were proposed by Rhode Island Energy to offset the increased costs to provide the power, the utility said.
The PUC noted that customers will “most likely” see a $64 credit in their November bills from the settlement of a legal challenge against the sale of National Grid.
In Massachusetts, National Grid customers will see a 64% increase in their electric rates starting Tuesday.
Eversource‘s CEO is calling on President Joe Biden to address concerns about electricity reliability in New England this winter. The company told WTNH that a potential 40% bill increase is out of its control as the supply of oil gets tighter.
“I am deeply concerned about the potentially severe impact a winter energy shortfall would have on the people and businesses in this region,” Eversource CEO Joseph Nolan Jr. said.
Eversource plans to file its rate hike proposals to the Department of Public Utilities later this month and those customers will likely see a change in January.