NSTAR proposes electricity rate cut

NSTAR said it is proposing a rate decrease that could result in drop in electricity prices for its Massachusetts residential electricity customers.

If approved by the state, the proposed new rates would save the average NSTAR customer more than $17 each month between July 1st and December 31st, Boston-based NSTAR said in a press release.

Assuming the rate change is approved, the basic service supply price for residential customers would generally drop by about 27 percent, from 12.71 cents to 9.22 cents per kilowatt-hour, and customers of the former Boston Edison Co. who use an average of 500 kilowatt-hours per month would see their total bill drop from $106 to $88.56, the NSTAR press release said.

The proposed decrease can be largely attributed to a drop-off in prices for oil and natural gas, which are fuels used to generate electricity, the NSTAR release added.

NSTAR transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than 1 million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities.

To read NSTAR's press release, please click here.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)