Larry Rulison reports in the Times Union that National Grid officials are predicting heating bills will rise 31 percent this winter. "This is the largest increase we've seen in many years," Kellie Smith, National Grid's New York gas pricing manager said Oct. 7. The cause: capitalism. "There's higher prices primarily due to the economic recovery," said Richard Meyer, vice president of energy analysis, markets and standards for the American Gas Association. "Because we are using more energy, we are using more natural gas, and demand has been going up (causing prices to rise)." Demand has increased as the pandemic recedes. National Grid officials say they are not profiting from the price increases. "It (gas supply) is passed on directly to customers without markup," said National Grid spokesperson Patrick Stella. Regulations limit the company to make its profit on the so-called delivery of gas through its pipelines and delivery system to customers. Officials say National Grid's home natural gas delivery rates have only increased about $38 during the winter heating months since 2009. Read more about this story in the Times Union.