National Grid Gas Customers Voice Frustration Over Proposed Rate Hike

Utility customers, from those struggling with bills to union workers, gathered to oppose nearly 10% increase.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:04am

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Frustrated National Grid gas customers in Massachusetts attended a public hearing held by the Department of Public Utilities to voice their concerns over the utility company's request for a nearly 10% rate hike. The proposed $342 million increase would go towards new gas pipes installed in recent years and to recover $14 million in charges the company was forced to waive last winter after failing to bill thousands of customers.

Why it matters

The rate hike proposal comes as Massachusetts is planning to move away from natural gas for heating, raising questions about the need for continued gas infrastructure investment. Customers, many of whom are already struggling with high utility bills, argue they simply can't afford another significant increase.

The details

National Grid filed plans in January to increase gas rates by $342 million total, which would take effect on January 1, 2027. The company wants to boost charges 8.4% for customers of its Boston Gas division and 9.4% for Colonial Gas customers. More than half the money is going to pay for new gas pipes the company has installed in recent years, while National Grid is also seeking to recover over $14 million from last winter when it failed to bill thousands of customers for months.

  • In January 2026, National Grid filed plans to increase gas rates.
  • The proposed rate hike would take effect on January 1, 2027.

The players

National Grid

A major utility company that provides natural gas and electricity services in Massachusetts.

Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

The state agency responsible for regulating utility companies in Massachusetts.

Lisa Weiland

President of National Grid.

Tim Moore

Gas Chief Operating Officer at National Grid.

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What they’re saying

“Given the age of our distribution system, where one-third of mains were installed prior to 1970, our ability to make these investments has never been more important.”

— Lisa Weiland, President, National Grid

“We hear you and we are concerned about running our system affordably and running it efficiently.”

— Tim Moore, Gas COO, National Grid

What’s next

The Department of Public Utilities has scheduled a series of additional public hearings across Massachusetts in March and April to gather more feedback from customers on National Grid's proposed rate hike. The DPU is also accepting public comments by email through April 30.

The takeaway

This rate increase proposal highlights the tension between utility companies' need to invest in aging infrastructure and the affordability challenges facing many customers, especially as Massachusetts transitions away from natural gas. The public hearings provide an important forum for customers to voice their concerns and for regulators to weigh the competing priorities.