Summary
On January 16, 2026, National Grid filed a petition to adjust its base distribution rates. 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. The dates for those hearings will be posted once available.
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.
Upcoming Events
Public Comment Period
Any person interested in commenting on this matter may submit written comments no later than 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.
The text of the email should specify:
- the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 26-50);
- the name of the person or company submitting the comments;
- and a brief descriptive title of the document.
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 written comments by email, a paper copy may be sent to Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110.