Massachusetts

http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_29650857/boston-area-electricity-gas-prices-well-above-national

Boston-area electricity, gas prices well above national average
The Lowell Sun
Updated: 03/17/2016 10:24:50 AM EDT
By Michael P. Norton
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

BOSTON -- Energy prices in the Boston area are down from a year ago, but remain well above national averages, contributing to the area's high cost of living.

According to data released Wednesday, Boston households paid an average 20.3 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity in February, down from 22.5 cents in February 2015. But compared to the national average of 13.4 cents per kilowatt hour, electricity prices in Boston were about 52 percent higher.

Similarly, according to the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, natural gas prices paid by Boston area consumers in February were more than 30 percent higher than the national average - $1.167 per therm compared to $0.895 per therm. Households in the area have paid between 25.8 and 30.4 percent more than the national average for natural gas in February in each of the last five years.

Gasoline prices averaged $1.79 per gallon in the Boston area in February 2016, or 46 cents less than the average price in the area in February 2015. AAA reported Monday that its weekly price survey showed prices in Massachusetts had spiked 9 cents a gallon over last week.