Massachusetts residents are paying the price for a cold winter, with many reporting heating bills that are nearly double what they paid last year. The state’s notorious high energy prices and the single biggest factor of weather contribute to this shocking trend.
According to WBUR meteorologist Danielle Noyes, December and January were colder than average, with daily high temperatures not rising above freezing for nearly half the days in January. This meant that heating systems were working on overdrive, leading to increased natural gas usage by an average of 19% compared to last year.
For those who heat their homes with natural gas, supply rates have increased, making up about two-thirds of the bill. Supply rates change twice a year and are influenced by global market prices. This winter’s prices are higher than last year’s due to increased demand for gas, particularly in areas like Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts.
Delivery charges also rose this year, driven by growing demand for energy efficiency programs such as Mass Save. These programs help residents pay for weatherization projects and rebates on energy-efficient appliances. While this may seem like an added cost now, it will save customers money in the long run as more efficient infrastructure is built.
Lawmakers, including Governor Maura Healey, have expressed concerns over high heating bills and called for relief measures to be implemented. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) plans to work with gas companies to revise delivery rates and provide assistance to affected customers.
Financial assistance is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills, making Massachusetts one of the most generous states in terms of utility assistance.
Source: https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/02/19/massachusetts-natural-gas-bills-eversource-national-grid-expensive-delivery-rate