MOHAWK VALLEY, NY — Well folks, here we go again.

Just when people thought they might catch a break after a long winter, National Grid customers are about to get hit with another increase—and this one’s coming fast.

Starting April 1, electric delivery rates are going up around 7%, and gas delivery rates are jumping even higher. That might not sound like much sitting in an office somewhere, but out here in the Mohawk Valley, that’s grocery money, gas money, or bill money that folks already don’t have.

And let’s be real—this area isn’t exactly rolling in cash.

Across Utica, Rome, Herkimer, and surrounding towns, many homes are older, drafty, and expensive to heat. That means when rates go up, bills don’t just creep—they jump. What might be a $15 increase on paper can feel like $30 or more in real life depending on usage.

Now here’s where things start getting serious.

During the winter months, there are protections in place that prevent utility shutoffs when temperatures drop too low. But once spring hits and those protections go away, utility companies can start cutting service to customers who are behind.

And a lot of people are behind.

Statewide, hundreds of thousands of households have struggled with unpaid utility bills, and experts are warning that we could see a surge in shutoffs this spring as those overdue balances catch up with people.

For families living paycheck to paycheck—or seniors on fixed incomes—that’s not just stressful. That’s dangerous.

No power means:

  • No heat on cold nights
  • No refrigeration for food
  • No way to run essential medical equipment

And for renters? It gets even messier. Higher utility costs often mean rent increases or added pressure from landlords trying to cover their own rising expenses.

Now to be clear—National Grid doesn’t just flip a switch overnight. There are notices, payment plans, and assistance programs available. But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:

Waiting until the last minute is how people end up in the dark.

If there’s one thing folks need to do right now, it’s get ahead of it. Call early. Set up a plan. Don’t ignore the letters.

Because once those protections lift, things move fast.

And in the Mohawk Valley, where every dollar already stretches thin, this latest rate hike could push a lot of families right to the edge.