Unitil Corporation announced today that its New Hampshire natural gas distribution utility, Northern Utilities New Hampshire, filed a base rate case with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission requesting approval to change distribution rates for all customers. This filing will be subject to comprehensive review by the PUC in a base rate case proceeding that may last up to a year. The company’s last base rate case was filed in 2021.
The proposed rates are designed to provide revenues in support of the company's increasing distribution system investments and operating costs. The filing includes a proposed multi-year rate plan, continuation of a revenue decoupling mechanism, and other rate design and tariff changes.
“Reviewing our distribution rates is a regular part of ensuring the delivery portion of customer bills reflects the actual cost of providing service,” said Unitil External Affairs Manager Amanda Vicinanzo. “Any proposed changes are carefully evaluated by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission to ensure they are prudent and in the public interest, while allowing us to continue providing safe, reliable, and affordable service.”
If the rates are approved as filed, the typical residential heating customer using an average of 56 therms a month would see an increase of $16.22 per month, or 14.2 percent, over the current bill. Effects on individual customers will vary depending on rate class and usage characteristics.
