New Hampshire residents face higher electricity costs as more hot weather looms
Utilities say reliance on natural gas, war in Ukraine driving up costs
Utilities say reliance on natural gas, war in Ukraine driving up costs
Utilities say reliance on natural gas, war in Ukraine driving up costs
Electricity rates are going up in New Hampshire as residents brace for more extreme heat this week.
Utility officials said electricity supply rates are climbing for a number of reasons, with the biggest factors being the war in Ukraine and New England's reliance on natural gas.
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Eversource's energy service rate is rising by 112%, while Liberty Utilities is jumping 100% and New Hampshire Electric Co-op is climbing 77%.
For Eversource customers, officials said the hike will amount to an extra $70 per month on average.
Some Granite Staters said the additional cost for electricity on top of inflation is just too much.
"People can't afford it," said Manchester resident Ricky Chickering. "How are they going to support their house?"
Utility officials said it's out of their hands. Eversource sets its rates every six months, in August and February, and spokesman William Hinkle said the cost of natural gas has risen.
"Here in New England, we rely heavily on natural gas for our electric generation, and at any given point, it can be about 50% and even as high as 60% in the last couple of weeks," Hinkle said. "So that heavy reliance on natural gas is really what we're seeing driving these supply price increases here."
Eversource is offering a number of income-eligible assistance programs to its customers and said there are some things people can do at home to save money, such as running appliances during off-peak times and adjusting thermostats by a couple of degrees.
The state also has initiatives to help cut costs.
"And as they also use state funds to increase those electric assistance programs and other expanded options, we'll be here to help connect our customers to those and work through how best to implement those and get them to our customers as quickly as possible," Hinkle said.
Another program launched by Eversource, New Start, helps customers eliminate outstanding balances on their accounts.
"What that does is for certain income-eligible customers, we'll look back at your past due balance over the last year, divide that by 12, and Eversource will make one half of the monthly 12th payment if you make the other half and match it," Hinkle said. "So, we'll pay down that balance together over 12 months. And that's available and a very helpful program for customers, as well."
Liberty Utilities did not return requests for comment, and officials with New Hampshire Electric Co-op said no one was available to talk Monday.
To get more information on assistance with utility bills, look up your local Community Action Partnership agency.