We Deserve Answers From National Grid On High Electric Bills

To the editor:  I listened to last Wednesday night’s Select Board Meeting and the issue that was raised by Amy Eldridge. As I listened, her situation was similar to mine. My electric bill for December 2024, was $2,000.00. Yes, $2,000.00, and no one there but three days.

The month before it was $956.00, but I was helping a couple who were stranded on Nantucket due to the storm that hit Jamacia. They have a 10-month-old baby and had no place to go. I didn’t mind paying that bill as they were there and wanted to stay warm. However, when the $2,000.00 bill came for December, I made the call to National Grid to see what happened. I had my caretaker and an electrician go to the house to see if it was warm (house set between 45-55 degrees), and they found nothing wrong. National Grid continues to tell me it is under investigation.

I have made good-faith payments, as I know I owe them something, but not that much. When I heard Amy and then talked with Jason at Current, I learned that many islanders have felt the same type of increase with electric bills. I did go back and check for the last two years, and I have never had a bill like this before. I think it might be time to have National Grid come to Nantucket and explain why there are so many high bills.

I am told that my account is on hold until resolution, but this is over two months now! To add to the mystery, their customer service representatives work remotely and depend on “team leaders” through chat to give them advice, so this can keep being kicked down the road. They give me a date on each call of when we should have answers. The next date is April 26. I am told to call and ask for a supervisor, which is what I do each time. The highest bill, even when I am there, has been around $500.00. I would be heating the neighborhood for $2,000.00 and I am not that generous.

With the number of complaints, what can the Select Board do to get answers?

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Cathy Ward