Proposed $103M Gas Rate Hike Could Mean Higher Gas Bills

Attorney General Martha Coakley is asking state energy regulators to reject a $103 million natural gas rate hike proposed by the utility National Grid.

It could raise bills by 11 percent.

National Grid spokeswoman Debbie Drew says the rate increase would fund what she calls "important updates and maintenance" to the gas system.

"The bottom line is that our job is to safely and reliably deliver energy while keeping pace with the needs of our customers, and we made our rate proposal so we can continue to do that job," Drew said.

But Coakley argues National Grid delayed the maintenance to justify the rate increases.