Leader Herald Staff
First came National Grid’s 63% price rise now in effect that was announced on November 1.
Now comes Eversource, the Everett electric giant supplier who has just asked for a 43% price rise.
In the latest indication of how expensive energy is going to be this winter, the utility Eversource is seeking a 43% increase in the cost of electricity for its customers in eastern Massachusetts. For customers in western Massachusetts, it’s a 42% increase. In filings this week with the Department of Public Utilities, the company proposed changing the basic supply rate — the raw cost of the electricity you use — for customers in both of its territories, according to a WBUR report.
Ratepayers in eastern Massachusetts would see their electricity costs rise from about 18 cents per kilowatt hour to 26 cents per kilowatt hour, while those in the western part of the state would see the rate change from 15 cents per kilowatt-hour to 22 cents per kilowatt-hour.
If these rates are approved, beginning Jan. 1, the average consumer who uses 600 kilowatts of power per month would see their bills go up $47 in the eastern part of the state and $39 per month in the western part of the state.
This doesn’t necessarily mean ratepayers will only see a $47 or $39 increase. The company says it plans to increase electric delivery fees too, but it hasn’t filed those requests yet with the state.
Compared to last winter, the average Eversource customer in eastern Massachusetts will pay an extra $60, while in the western part of the state, customers will pay an extra $49 for power. National Grid customers, meanwhile, are already paying an extra $114 per month compared to last winter.