Syracuse, N.Y. -- Your National Grid bill is going up about 10% next month and will keep rising. Within three years, the cost of electricity and gas will increase by about $600 a year for the average household in Upstate New York.

The state Public Service Commission voted today to approve new electric and gas rates for National Grid’s Upstate territory, authorizing the company to sharply increase what it charges to maintain the system’s pipes and wires.

The commission approved the company’s request to beef up its aging electric and gas networks, saying the investment is necessary to maintain safe and reliable service.

National Grid plans to hire at least 480 new employees and will spend roughly $5.5 billion on capital improvements to its electric system and $1.4 billion on the gas syste

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