POUGHKEEPSIE – Delivery rates for electricity and natural gas provided by Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation will increase over the next three years according to an agreement reached and announced on Wednesday. Natural gas rates will increase over the three years by $10.61 per month for the average household while electric charges over the three years would increase by $6.41.

The staff of the state Department of Public Service, Central Hudson and a consortium representing large industrial customers approved the agreement that will take effect on July 1, 2010 if approved by the Public Service Commission.

The joint proposal comes as a result of Central Hudson’s July 2009 rate hike proposal.

Energy supply costs remain “significantly lower than last year,” said Central Hudson spokesman John Maserjian.

“For example, natural gas prices are about 28 percent lower than they were a year ago and electric supply prices are about 21 percent lower and this could potentially offset the increase in delivery charges and result in possible reductions in customers’ total bills compared to those of last year if these energy supply prices remain lower.”

Under the new agreement, natural gas delivery charged would increase for an average monthly residential bill by $5.86 in the first year, by $2.73 per month in the second year and by $2.02 in the third year.

Residential electric delivery charges would increase by $2.56 per month in the first year, by $1.96 per month in the second year and by $1.89 in the third year.