Energy company hosting webinars to provide information on assistance programs and payment plans

BOSTON and SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 14, 2025) – With brutally cold temperatures persisting across New England over the last two months, many customers in Massachusetts have been using considerably more natural gas to heat their homes and businesses to stay warm. As that sharp increase in usage is now being reflected in natural gas bills, Eversource is encouraging customers to take advantage of the many assistance programs and payment plans that are available to help manage their bill. The company is hosting two free virtual information sessions next week where customers can learn more about the various options, as well as energy efficiency programs that can help lower their monthly usage and lead to overall savings.

“We understand how challenging increased energy costs are for our customers who are already facing higher prices for other basic necessities, and we want them to know we’re here to help and can connect them with the programs that fit their needs,” said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. “We work one-on-one with our customers every day to help them with their bills and provide resources and insights for savings, and these webinars are another opportunity to learn more about the valuable assistance programs and flexible payment plans available. We also encourage customers to take advantage of the numerous energy efficiency solutions offered, which can lower bills by reducing energy usage.”

Higher natural gas usage, resulting from the colder temperatures, has been the primary driver for the increase customers have seen in their recent bills. For example, the typical residential NSTAR heating customer used 48 therms in November 2024, 101 therms in December 2024, and 143 therms in January 2025. The typical residential Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts (EGMA/former Columbia Gas) customer used 56 therms in November 2024, 110 therms in December 2024, and 168 therms in January 2025.

The dramatic increase in usage is coupled with recent rate adjustments that took effect on November 1, which are also impacting customers’ current bills. These adjustments reflected a variety of factors including the cost of natural gas on the supply side of the bill and – on the delivery side – Eversource’s significant investments in safety and reliability projects to strengthen and improve service for customers, as well as growth in energy efficiency programs and services available to help customers better manage their energy use and advance decarbonization goals. How much energy a customer uses impacts both the supply and delivery portions of the bill. Even if customers do not raise their thermostats, more energy is used to maintain the same temperature setting in colder weather.

Help is available for customers who need it.

Eversource encourages customers to enroll in one of its payment plans or assistance programs if they need help with their energy bill by calling 866-861-6225 (NSTAR) or 800-688-6160 (EGMA), or by visiting Eversource.com/BillHelp.

• The New Start Program can help income-eligible customers reduce or eliminate their outstanding balance in as little as 12 months when they make on-time monthly payments. Eversource will make up the difference by eliminating or forgiving a portion of the total balance enrolled in the program – reducing the amount owed each month.
• Flexible Payment Plans are available to all customers, regardless of income, to pay their past-due balance over a period of time.
• Budget Billing Plans are also available and can help customers avoid seasonal spikes on their energy bill by paying a fixed amount each month based on their average annual usage.
• A Discount Rate is available to customers receiving public assistance benefits and have a household income at or below 60% of the state median income. These customers may be eligible for a 25% discount on their monthly natural gas bill.
• The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a free resource offered by the state to help eligible homeowners and renters pay a portion of their winter heating bills. Customers can apply online at masscap.org/heatinghelpma.

For customers who would like to learn more about these programs, the company’s two free webinars will be held on Tuesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 20 – both from 1-2pm. Customers can sign up to attend online. Advanced registration is required. Eversource will also be scheduling additional in-person and virtual assistance events across the commonwealth in the coming weeks and more information will be posted on Eversource.com.

Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is recognized as the #1 U.S. utility on TIME’s List of World’s Best Companies for 2024. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 2.1 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.49 million electric customers in 161 communities, 643,000 gas customers in 125 communities, and 11,500 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of more than 10,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.