Cider Press Hill

Yikes!

Massachusetts Electric, my electric utility, has filed plans with the state to raise rates by 27.5%. The higher rates would be in effect from November 1 through April 30. The gas utility has also requested a rate increase of 17%.

"Electricity rates and fossil fuel prices have been linked for several years and the prices on the world market have gone up,” said Cheryl LaFleur, president and chief executive officer for Massachusetts Electric.

The utility said the proposed increase was expected to add $17.52 to an average residential customer’s monthly electricity bill for an increase of 27.5 percent.

Wow. This is going to be a lean winter for a lot of people and a colder and darker one for a lot of other people. Welcome to the cruel new world.

Posted on 09/24/05 at 09:51 AM
 




justme

Doesn’t California sound better and better? I think there is about one month that we have to heat. And if you have a fireplace you are pretty much set. Ya the AC can be a bit much if it gets too bad. But for the most half if we kept the windows and doors closed it was ok lol.

United States   Posted by justme on 09/24/05  at  11:54 AM





Kate

Yes, I have to admit that I’m about fed up with New England.

United States   Posted by Kate on 09/24/05  at  12:16 PM





Linkmeister

How are their plants powered? Oil or coal or nuclear?  As far as I know, only oil prices have increased.

United States   Posted by Linkmeister on 09/24/05  at  12:30 PM





Kate

Mass Electric purchases its electricity from merchant power plants. At least 4 big ones have huge natural gas fired turbines. Probably seemed like a good idea when gas was cheap.

This and this give a little more info.

United States   Posted by Kate on 09/24/05  at  01:32 PM





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