Increased Price Volatility of Energy Supply
New England’s energy market remains highly volatile. Natural gas is the primary fuel used for electric generation in the region. Global issues affecting the availability of natural gas are driving energy costs up for this winter.
Supply rates come from the market rate of electricity generation, and are entirely separate from the rest of the bill. Customers who choose our energy service pay the same rate we pay generators for producing the power.
We want to ensure you know what resources and options are available.
12/1/2022 Video News Release
Our work to mitigate costs
Distribution utilities like Unitil do not generate electricity, and are required to go out to bid for energy supply every six months. In light of the ongoing price volatility, Unitil worked with regulators in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to extend the winter purchasing period from six months to eight months to reduce the impact of the more expensive winter months on the overall supply rate by spreading these costs over a longer period of time. This supply rate will be effective from December 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023.
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What to do if you fall behind
If you are struggling to pay your electricity bill or are already behind, we offer a number of payment plans and assistance programs. All available programs are outlined on Unitil.com, and customers can speak directly to a customer service representative by calling our contact center at 1-888-301-7700.
We all need help sometimes
The unexpected can happen to any of us. Our Customer Service Team can help create a personalized plan to get you back on track.
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Supply prices and how they are determined:
Supply rates, or the market cost of electricity, are the portion of the bill that is seeing increased instability. Distribution utilities like Unitil do not generate their own electricity. Instead, we are required to go out to bid for the current market rate of electricity every six months. This supply rate becomes part of customer bills and is entirely separate from the rates that pay for distribution costs.
Unitil does not make any money off of supply as there is no mark-up on this rate. Instead, this is a simple pass-through to customers based on the actual, seasonal costs of energy set by generators. All customers have the option to find an alternative supply rate through third-party providers.
