National Grid seeks to lower Rhode Island electricity rates

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Electric bills in Rhode Island could drop by around 8 percent under a rate change sought by National Grid.

The Providence Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1kdiawG ) the utility says typical residential users would see a drop of around 7.9 percent on electric bills, due to a lower cost of power.

That means a customer who uses 500 kilowatt hours a month would save around $7.38 cents monthly, with the bill dropping from $99.15 to $91.32.

National Grid says the rate cut is unusual for winter months and it reflects a change in the way rate cycles are calculated.

The utility says while prices are lower this winter, it expects there to be a substantial increase next year.