BOSTON, Mass. (Sept. 21, 2022) – The price of natural gas is increasing for the upcoming winter heating season due to soaring global demand and constraints on domestic supply, which have pushed prices to some of the highest levels in a decade. Eversource last week filed its proposed winter natural gas supply rates with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to take effect on November 1, 2022, pending approval. The energy company is encouraging customers to take steps now to plan for the upcoming winter and is ready to help customers who may need assistance.

“Heating homes during the winter months in New England is a necessity and as global pressures drive up the price of natural gas worldwide, we want to help our customers plan ahead to manage their energy use and overall cost as best we can before the cold weather arrives,” said Eversource Executive Vice President for Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner. “We are here and ready to connect our customers with resources like energy efficiency solutions, payment assistance plans and other customer support programs that can help offset some of the effects of that rising global energy costs are having on everyone.”

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 former NSTAR Gas service territory using 126 therms of gas per month will see an increase of roughly 38% or $86 on their natural gas bill per month over last winter. An average residential customer in the former Columbia Gas service territory using 132 therms of gas per month will see an increase of approximately 25% or $61 on their natural gas bill per month over last winter. This increase is driven mostly by the rising cost of natural gas supply that Eversource purchases for customers on the competitive wholesale market. The energy company does not earn a profit on this cost, only charging customers what it pays those producing the supply. 
 
Eversource natural gas customers can better manage their energy use, save money and reduce their impact on the environment through a variety of energy efficiency programs, during the winter heating months and year-round. This includes signing up 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.
 
The energy company’s Heating Cost Calculator is also now available to customers on Eversource.com, which shows how colder weather impacts their bill and how small adjustments to their thermostat can lead to potential savings.
 
Eversource also offers a variety of payment assistance options to support customers who are struggling with their bills—including those who have never needed help before. Additionally, the energy company offers Budget Billing, which enables customers to better manage expenses by dividing energy costs into fixed monthly payments, avoiding seasonal spikes. To learn more about special programs to help customers lower monthly bills, reduce past due balances, or enroll in extended payment plans, visit Eversource.com.

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 2021 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 1.46 million electric customers in 140 communities, 638,000 gas customers in 110 communities, and 8,900 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,200 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
christopher.r.mckinnon@eversource.com

Priscilla Ress
413-787-1055
priscilla.ress@eversource.com