{"id":1368,"date":"2025-04-17T12:16:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T17:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maenergyratings.com\/blog\/?p=1368"},"modified":"2025-04-17T12:16:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T17:16:23","slug":"cold-temps-and-costly-natural-gas-shock-ma-electric-customers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maenergyratings.com\/blog\/cold-temps-and-costly-natural-gas-shock-ma-electric-customers\/","title":{"rendered":"Cold Temps and Costly Natural Gas Shock MA Electric Customers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MA Hit With Electric Cost Shock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"High
Bitter cold and soaring natural gas prices drove up MA electricity rates this past winter. Find out why and what lawmakers can do.<\/em><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Last month, massive electricity bills<\/a> hit New England energy customers hard. As a result, many families struggled to stay warm during this year’s chilly winter. But why do Massachusetts electric rates<\/a> cost so much and what can you do about it? Let’s talk about why cold temps and costly natural gas led to such high electric bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why MA Natural Gas Price Spiked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About 55% of New England’s electricity comes from natural gas fueled power plants. The gas gets to New England through just 4 pipelines. If one shuts down, prices spike. So, electricity rates<\/a> in New England can jump when anything effects the price of natural gas. On top of this, energy demand<\/a> rises during cold winter months. And this past winter saw some very cold weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case in point, MA energy demand rose by about 4.7% from 2024. In fact, the average temperature fell by 5 degrees<\/a> this past winter. In other words, as gas demand rises, so do electricity prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the average MA electricity price<\/a> was $126.40 cents per megawatt-hour (mWh) in February. This is a massive 301% spike compared to the months before. In fact, the price per therm for natural gas was 319% higher than the average at $14.62 per therm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MA Lawmakers Seek Natural Gas Fix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, the high costs are why state lawmakers are working to lower costs<\/a>. We’ve talked before about Governor Healey’s plan for a new affordability bill<\/a>. While details haven’t come out yet, Healey has already announced a $50 credit<\/a> that will go to energy utility customers this month for low and moderate-income families. But Healey has also announced plans to expand renewable energy into the state’s energy profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healey has also talked about changing how funding works for the Mass Save program<\/a>. This program helps offset the costs for going energy efficient, with several incentives, rebate offers, and services. In this way, state slowly remove its need for natural gas “power burn”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the DPU has fined National Grid<\/a> for $15 million dollars. The fines came as a result of a slew of customers complaints dating back to 2023. National Grid<\/a><\/strong> customers should see refunds show up in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take Advantage Of MA Programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With summer looming, the future of both natural gas and electricity prices is uncertain. Indeed, heat pump and EV programs and tax credits<\/a> may be at risk as well. However, there are ways to help you cut your bills down to size and save more energy<\/a> through the year. And, it also helps to lock in steady rates with the best Massachusetts electricity providers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s no better place to shop than https:\/\/www.maenergyratings.com<\/a>. You should also drop by for news and tips that could affect your bills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MA Hit With Electric Cost Shock Last month, massive electricity bills hit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1380,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false},"categories":[10,18,20],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nCold Temps and Costly Natural Gas Shock MA Electric Customers - MAER: The Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bitter cold and high natural gas prices spiked MA electric prices by 300%. 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