Community
Massachusetts National Grid requests rate increase for 130 cities/towns in the Bay State
Many National Grid customers in Massachusetts could soon see a rate increase.
According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on January 16, 2026, National Grid filed a petition to adjust its base distribution rates for 130 communities in the state. Utilities regulated by the DPU can file petitions to recover reasonable and prudent costs that have been incurred to provide safe and reliable service to its customers and have the opportunity to earn a fair and reasonable rate of return on prudently invested capital.
The company’s last rate case with the DPU was in 2021 (DPU 20-120).
National Grid seeks to increase its gas distribution rates to generate approximately $342 million in additional revenues. The DPU has suspended National Grid’s proposed distribution rates until December 1, 2026, to conduct its investigation.
The DPU will review the new proposal, filed in docket DPU 26-50.
In each base distribution rate proceeding conducted by the DPU under section 94, the DPU shall design base distribution rates using a cost-allocation method that is based on equalized rates of return for each customer class; provided, however, that if the resulting impact of employing this cost-allocation method for any 1 customer class would be more than 10 percent, the DPU shall phase in the elimination of any cross subsidies between rate classes on a revenue neutral basis phased in over a reasonable period as determined by the DPU. Section 94I
In this investigation, the DPU’s staff will review all written testimony, detailed cost data, and public comments. These documents will be filed in the docket, DPU 26-50. The DPU’s staff will also hold public and evidentiary hearings for this proceeding.
Potential Bill Impacts – Boston Gas Residential Customers
Bill impacts are pending, subject to the DPU’s investigation. You may also find bill impacts in docket DPU 26-50 in Excel and PDF.
National Grid provides that if its petition is approved as requested, customers can expect the following bill impacts, effective December 1, 2026:
- A typical residential heating customer will experience a monthly bill increase of $23.66 (8.4 percent) during the winter season.
- A typical residential low-income heating customer experience bill varying impacts in the winter depending upon their income and placement in the appropriate low-income discount tier. The bill impacts will vary from an increase of 17.0 percent to a decrease of 65.0 percent.
- A typical residential non-heating customer will experience a monthly bill increase of $4.99 (9.3 percent).
- A typical residential low-income non-heating customer will experience bill impacts that will vary depending upon income and placement in the appropriate low-income discount tier. The bill impacts will vary from an increase of 19.0 percent to a decrease of 64.0 percent.
Potential Bill Impacts – Colonial Gas Residential Customers
Bill impacts are pending, subject to the DPU’s investigation. You may also find bill impacts in docket DPU 26-50 in Excel and PDF.
National Grid provides that if its petition is approved as requested, customers can expect the following bill impacts, effective December 1, 2026:
- A typical residential heating customer will experience a monthly bill increase of $24.76 (9.4 percent) during the winter season.
- A typical residential low-income heating customer experience bill varying impacts in the winter depending upon their income and placement in the appropriate low-income discount tier. The bill impacts will vary from an increase of 18.0 percent to a decrease of 65.0 percent.
- A typical residential non-heating customer will experience a monthly bill increase of $5.14 (10.0 percent).
- A typical residential low-income non-heating customer will experience bill impacts that will vary depending upon income and placement in the appropriate low-income discount tier. The bill impacts will vary from an increase of 20.0 percent to a decrease of 64.0 percent.
Potential Bill Impacts – Commercial & Industrial Customers
Bill impacts are pending, subject to the DPU’s investigation. You may also find bill impacts in docket DPU 26-50 in Excel and PDF.
National Grid provides that if its petition is approved as requested, customers can expect the following bill impacts, effective December 1, 2026:
- C&I customers can expect bill impacts to vary. According to National Grid, based on average monthly usage during the winter season, depending on usage, rate class and whether the customer would be reclassified as a result of the Company’s proposed rate consolidation, the monthly bill impacts will range from a decrease of 37.5 percent to an increase of 37.8 percent.