National Grid Seeks to Increase Rate for Electricity Service 

BOSTON (AP) — Officials say electrical supplier National Grid is requesting an increase in its rate for its service that would cost residential customers about $9 more a month.

National Grid officials say the higher rates are necessary to offset an increase in paying for expenses such as wooden poles, transformers, and employee salaries.

The company provides electricity to Nantucket and large sections of eastern and central Massachusetts.

If the increase is approved, the average National Grid household that uses 600 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would pay 7 percent more on each bill.

National Grid for Massachusetts President Marcy Reed says inflation, health care costs and property taxes have also grown since the company’s last rate increase in 2009.

Officials expect the Massachusetts Department of Utilities will take nearly a year to review National Grid’s request.