Rhode Islanders can expect a decrease on their annual gas bill as a result of the Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) approved recent rate proposals from National Grid on Friday afternoon. The filings, submitted by the company in September, impact the Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) charges and the Distribution Adjustment Clause (DAC) charges on customers’ natural gas bills and are effective from November 1, 2019 through October 31, 2020.

For the average residential heating customer using 845 therms annually, the combined bill impact from the proposed DAC and GCR charges for a typical residential heating customer represents a decrease of $147.58, or 10.9 percent per year.

“As the winter season approaches we know our customers will be using more gas to heat their homes and businesses,” Terry Sobolewski, President of National Grid Rhode Island said in a statement. “And while our customers need to prepare for that increased use, it’s encouraging to know their overall costs for the year ahead should be less significant than last year.”

The “Cost of Gas” or supply prices are determined by the market and represent the price at which National Grid purchases natural gas and reserve pipeline capacity on behalf of our customers; National Grid passes this cost along to our customers without profit. The market rates for gas are lower this year than last year. The reduced rate for “Cost of Gas” can be found under the “Supply Services” portion of a residential heating customers bill. The new rate will be $0.5302 per therm for residential heating customers.

The new rate for the “Distribution Adjustment Charge” can be found under the “Delivery Services” portion of a residential heating customers bill. The new rate will be $0.0007 per therm for residential heating customers.

National Grid offers budget plan programs to help customers spread payments out more evenly across the year, which are particularly helpful to those on fixed incomes. This service is available to customers all year long.

Billing options and discount rates also are available to help eligible customers who may have difficulty paying their monthly gas or electric bill. Discounted rates are based on certain eligibility requirements.

For more information about bill assistance, customers should contact National Grid at 800-322-3223. Customers can also visit www.ngrid.com/billhelp.