NSTAR Utility Rates

[laklare.livejournal.com]

From looking at NSTAR's recent press releases, I assumed that electric rates would be going down starting Jan 1st. However, just the opposite has happened.

I live in Somerville (Davis Sq. area) and today witnessed on my bill that the transmission rate doubled, the transition rate went up, but most importantly, the basic svc fixed charged went from $0.07694/KWH to $0.1266/KWH. That's a hefty increase and amounted to nearly $40 on my electric bill.

Has anyone else observed this abrupt change in their electric bills? How can this be reconciled with the supposed "$20 million rate cut for NSTAR Electric customers" effective January 1st? Also, how can I actually get to a real human being on NSTAR's phone system? I've tried several times and each time I get "heavy call volumes, call back later". The automated call back option isn't even coming up. Perhaps they are being overwhelmed by people like me who are wondering what's up with their electric bill?

Comments

[laklare.livejournal.com]

I called them today and actually got a human being finally. These are the new rates until June when they may again be reevaluated. The operator told me they went up in response to Katrina and energy shortages, which have long delays before reaching the consumer.

[knowthyself.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Did she happen to say anything about how this contradicts that press release about rates being cut, supposedly right away?

[laklare.livejournal.com]

Yes. The rates were going to go up even higher before the state got involved.