WPRO News and the Associated Press

National Grid is asking Rhode Island regulators to approve rate increases to generate electricity.

National Grid says that a typical Rhode Island household that uses 500 kilowatt hours is projected to pay 23.6 percent more than last January. National Grid says a residential customer’s bill would rise to $109 from $88.

The proposed increase is due to difficulties utilities have delivering increasingly popular natural gas through constrained pipelines in New England.

“Until we have more gas coming into the region to provide power for the generators it’s going to be a recurring problem,” said Spokesman David Graves.

If the state Public Utilities Commission approves the proposal, rates would take effect Jan. 1 and extend to June 30.

A proposed rate increase has been announced in Rhode Island and was approved by Connecticut regulators on Monday.

National Grid and other utilities have urged expanding gasline capacity, but experts say it would reduce the problem, not solve it.