WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – National Grid is warning customers that February\u2019s utility bill will likely cost more than any other month this winter as cold temperatures drive up energy usage and prices.<\/p>\n
The average National Grid customer can expect to pay more than $360 just for the month of February, which will appear on March bills.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know customers are going to be facing what is likely a much higher bill in March,\u201d said Jared Paventi, strategic communications manager with National Grid.<\/p>\n
Energy prices surge amid cold weather<\/p>\n
National Grid officials say customers are using more energy services due to the cold, leading natural gas prices to shoot up 44% and the cost of electricity to go up 28%.<\/p>\n
The utility company says it doesn\u2019t control those energy prices, only delivery costs, which also went up by 10 to 15 percent last September.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a National Grid employee, but I\u2019m also a National Grid customer. My National Grid bill is as high as it\u2019s ever been during the winter,\u201d Paventi said.<\/p>\n
Payment assistance programs available<\/p>\n
Knowing the difficulties families are having affording these increasing bills, National Grid is encouraging people to reach out for various payment programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re finding yourself where you\u2019re in an economically vulnerable space, I want to get people to our consumer advocates who can help people who are income eligible get qualified for programs like HEAP or some of the energy affordability programs that National Grid has,\u201d Paventi said.<\/p>\n
The utility company notes that energy costs are driven by supply and demand, and prices could come down if consumers use less energy. For customers in the North Country, relief will likely come when spring arrives.<\/p>\n
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