Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - New York State regulators are looking at whether or not National Grid needs to raise its rates next year.
Its own internal review says not only that rates should not go up, but that they should go down.
While the utility wants to raise rates about $145-million for electric, the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) study indicates that rates should drop $11-million.
“Right now, we’re going through the process, which will determine the right level of rates to get to the public’s best interest,” said National Grid Vice President of New York Ken Daly. “So we’re going through the process and will respond later this month.”
A PSC spokesperson says that unless regulators win out, it’s possible that National Grid customers’ bills will increase next year.
National Grid believes that looking over a two-year projection, their increase is set against a $190-million reduction that is currently in effect and that the end result will be in the customers’ favor.
"It’s going to allow us to continue to work with them to lower their bills and either way it’s going to continue the rate stability, so right now the plan is that beginning on April 1 of next year the new rates will go into effect,” Daly said.
The two sides have disagreed with other National Grid rate requests.
The PSC will spend the next several months hearing arguments before deciding on a final number and what that will mean for customers’ bills.
National Grid is also asking the PSC to increase gas rates by about $29 million. The PSC is looking at a reduction of $13 million.
