Eversource Files Lower Winter Season Supply Costs for Natural Gas Customers in Massachusetts
BOSTON and SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 4, 2023) – Eversource natural gas customers can expect lower costs for the upcoming winter heating season beginning November 1 compared to last year. The energy company has filed gas supply rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and if approved, an average residential customer would see an approximately $5-21 savings on their total bill per month compared to last winter, depending on their individual energy usage.
“While the lower price of natural gas could certainly provide some relief heading into the winter months, bills are typically higher as customers use more energy to heat their homes – so now is the time to explore the many ways they can save energy and money,” said Eversource Executive Vice President for Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner. “We are encouraging any customer who may be struggling with their bill, even if they have never needed assistance before, to reach out to us so we can connect them with our assistance programs, payment plans, or available energy efficiency solutions before the cold weather arrives.”
The winter heating season for Eversource natural gas customers in Massachusetts is from November 1 to April 30. In addition to the natural gas supply rate, proposed adjustments to other portions of the bill related to safely and reliably operating the gas system are also expected to take effect on November 1.
If all proposed adjustments are approved by the DPU, an average residential customer in the NSTAR Gas service territory using 126 therms of gas per month will see a decrease of roughly 2% or $5 per month compared to 2022 winter prices. The cost per therm will change from an average of $0.9199 last winter to $0.7746 per therm this winter. In the Eversource Gas of Massachusetts (formerly Columbia Gas) service territory, an average residential heating customer using 132 therms of gas per month will see a decrease of approximately 8% or $21 per month compared to last winter. The cost per therm will change from an average of $0.8507 last winter to $0.7119 per therm this winter.
While the natural gas supply rate changes twice per year every May 1 and November 1 in Massachusetts, state regulation requires monthly calculations be submitted to the DPU – and if the supply cost of natural gas fluctuates by more than 5%, state law requires an adjustment as to not over or under charge customers, which happened multiple times last winter. Prior to these price adjustments, the originally approved costs for last winter’s heating season were $1.1101 per therm for NSTAR Gas and $0.9203 per therm for Eversource Gas of Massachusetts.
Eversource offers a variety of payment assistance options to support customers who may be struggling with their bills. The energy company offers
Budget Billing, which may allow some customers to better manage expenses by dividing energy costs into fixed monthly payments, avoiding seasonal spikes. To learn more about the available programs to help customers lower monthly bills, reduce past due balances, or enroll in extended payment plans, visit
the payment plans and assistance page of Eversource’s website.
Eversource is also reminding all of its customers about steps they can take to help reduce their energy consumption, costs and their impact on the environment. Customers can sign up now for a no-cost, no-obligation home energy assessment for personalized recommendations for energy-saving products for their home. Income-eligible customers may also qualify for additional money and energy-saving offers. Customers can also take advantage of a variety of other energy efficiency programs to save money and energy during the upcoming winter months.
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2023 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies. Celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 1.8 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.47 million electric customers in 140 communities, 639,000 gas customers in 117 communities, and 8,900 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,600 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.
CONTACT:
Chris McKinnon
617-424-2108
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