Ratepayers' electric bills are expected to go up starting in January due to a planned rate increase.

According to LIPA's budget for 2019, the delivery charge is expected to rise by 2.4 percent. The utility says the increase would amount to an extra $2.61 for the average household.

On top of that, a renewable-energy charge is also expected to go up, that would add 24 cents to the average bill.

However, LIPA told News 12 that electric bills as a whole should actually go down next year. They say the power supply charge, which makes up the other portion of the bill, is projected to decrease. But LIPA Board member Matthew Cordaro warns that figure is only an estimate.

As for the higher delivery charge, LIPA Board member Jeff Greenfield says the increase will help set aside an extra $20 million for storm response.

The LIPA Board is expected to vote on the final budget on Dec. 19.

Public hearings on the issue will be held on Friday in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Those details are on LIPower.org.

Anyone who would like to send in written comments about the proposed increase can write to tariffchanges@lipower.org until Dec. 12.