Coakley Opposes National Grid Rate Hike

Attorney General Martha Coakley is asking the state's energy regulator to reject National Grid's $104 million rate hike request.

Coakley's office registered her opposition to the request with the state's Department of Public Utilities Wednesday, saying National Grid's rate hike would be the largest gas distribution increase in Massachusetts history.

The increased rates could boost consumer bills by up to 11 percent.

Coakley argues that National Grid delays maintenance repairs until rate requests to try to justify higher rates.

A National Grid spokeswoman says the rate increase would allow the company to continue to provide safe and reliable service to its customers.

The DPU must issue a ruling on the rate hike request by Nov. 1.