2026 Massachusetts Gas Rate Plan Filed
National Grid Files Gas Rate Case to Strengthen Safety, Reliability, and Affordability for Massachusetts Customers
On January 16, 2026, National Grid filed a proposed gas rate case with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), initiating a thorough, nearly year-long regulatory review designed to reinforce system safety, modernize critical infrastructure, and improve long-term reliability for customers across the Commonwealth.
National Grid’s highest priority remains delivering energy safely, reliably, and affordably. To meet rising energy demand and address the evolving needs of customers and communities, National Grid is seeking DPU support for targeted investments that will modernize aging infrastructure, enhance system security, and bolster emergency response capabilities. These investments will also help maintain affordability and ensure essential services—including hospitals, schools, first responders, and senior centers—can remain fully operational during extreme weather and other emergencies.
The DPU will review our request, conduct public hearings, and make a decision by November 30, 2026 for new rates to be billed beginning January 1, 2027. Dates and locations for the public hearings are provided below:
| Date | Time | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
March 18, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
Lowell Senior Center |
Interpretation services available in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Khmer. |
|
March 23, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
North Quincy High School |
Interpretation services available in Mandarin and Cantonese. |
|
March 26, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School Auditorium |
Interpretation services available in Brazilian Portuguese. |
|
March 31, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
Haverhill High School Auditorium |
Interpretation services available in Spanish. |
|
April 6, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
Breed Middle School Auditorium |
Interpretation services available in Spanish. |
|
April 9, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
Acton Town Hall Auditorium |
Interpretation services available in Chinese (Mandarin) and Haitian Creole. |
|
April 15, 2026 |
7:00 p.m. |
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities |
Interpretation services available in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), French Creole, Vietnamese, and Brazilian Portuguese. |
Virtual Public Hearing
In addition to the above in-person hearings, the Department will conduct a virtual public hearing using Zoom videoconferencing on April 13, 2026. The session will begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendees can join the session by entering the link, https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88522494757, from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. No prior software download is required. For audio-only access to the public hearing, attendees can dial in at 1-646-558-8656 (not toll free) and then enter the Webinar ID: 885-2249-4757.
Interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Khmer, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian over the Zoom platform by clicking the “Interpretation” button on the menu at the bottom of the Zoom application screen and selecting your language (i.e., English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Khmer, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian).
Public Comments
The Department will accept written comments on the Company’s filing until the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on April 30, 2026. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and DPU2650.GridRateCase@mass.gov, and the Company’s attorney, Robert J. Humm, Esq. at rhumm@keeganwerlin.com. Please note that in the interest of transparency any comments will be posted to our website as received, and without redacting, personal information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses. As such, consider the extent of information you wish to share when submitting comments. The Department strongly encourages public comments to be submitted by email. If, however, a member of the public is unable to send comments by email, a paper copy may be sent to Peter A. Ray, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110.
- Modernizing aging infrastructure to enhance system safety and reduce the risk of service interruptions during peak demand and extreme weather.
- Reinforcing the gas network that supports essential community services, including hospitals, schools, first responders, senior centers, ensuring they remain operational when it matters most.
- With one third of National Grid’s 3,600 miles of gas mains installed before 1970, timely investments strengthen long‑term reliability and support economic development in communities across Massachusetts.
- Improving system security through new technology and cyber‑protection upgrades that safeguard customers and critical facilities.
- Helping maintain affordability over time by reducing costly emergency repairs, avoiding failures, and enabling more efficient operations.
- The filing addresses a portion of the gas distribution charge only; it does not affect supply rates or state policy driven program charges.
- If approved, the proposal would result in average winter monthly bill impacts of:
- 8.4% (approx. $24) for residential customers in the Boston Gas territory (Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts)
- 9.4% (approx. $25) for customers in the Colonial Gas territory (Cape Cod and parts of the Merrimack Valley)
- The proposed adjustment is driven by four key investment areas:
- Infrastructure and asset maintenance – the largest portion
- New technology and network security upgrades, including protections against cyber threats and improved customer facing tools such as app-based appointment scheduling
- Local property taxes on infrastructure located in host communities
- Workforce investments, particularly in roles required by enhanced safety and compliance mandates
Affordability remains a top priority. National Grid is proposing a set of customer‑focused tools designed to keep bills more stable, predictable, and fair — especially during periods of high demand or rising costs — including:
- A fixed monthly distribution charge that spreads costs evenly throughout the year rather than relying solely on usage‑based rates, helping customers avoid seasonal bill spikes and providing clearer month‑to‑month budgeting.
- Expanded discount rates for income‑eligible customers, modeled after a similar program launched for electric customers this fall, strengthening support for households facing higher energy burdens and ensuring assistance is targeted where it’s needed most.
These measures reflect National Grid’s commitment to using every tool available to ease short‑term pressures, enhance long‑term predictability, and maintain affordability for the communities we serve.
National Grid last filed a gas rate case in 2020, and current rates were approved in 2021.
The economic landscape has shifted significantly since that time, with higher material and labor costs, stricter compliance mandates, increased infrastructure needs, and extreme weather events placing added pressure on both gas and electric networks. Despite these challenges, National Grid continues to improve operational efficiencies, defer certain cost recoveries, and develop new support for customers facing higher energy burdens.
National Grid believes natural gas has an enduring role as the electricity grid modernizes, offering reliability, resilience, and cost-effective service while renewable and electrified systems scale.