News Release
Electric Rates for Commercial and Industrial Customers to Decline in 2nd Quarter
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., February 14, 2012 – Medium and large commercial and industrial (C&I) customers who take basic service from Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) will see their electric supply rates decline beginning in April.
As approved by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the supply portion of electric bills (known as basic service) will decrease 24 percent based on the most recent round of competitive bidding. The new basic service rate for medium and large C&I customers will be 5.624 cents per kilowatt hour for the three month period beginning April 1, compared to the current rate of 7.405 cents per kilowatt hour.
There are two main portions of electric bills: delivery and supply. Delivery rates are not affected by this change. Under Massachusetts law, WMECo is required to provide energy supply, known as basic service, for customers who do not purchase service through a competitive supplier. Basic service is bid twice a year for residential and small C&I customers and four times a year for medium and large C&I customers. More than 95 percent of WMECo’s medium and large C&I customers have contracted with competitive suppliers for their electric supply.
Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo), a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE:NU), transmits and delivers electricity to 210,000 customers in 59 cities and towns. For more information, please visit our website: