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National Grid asking for a rate increase in Massachusetts: How much would my bill go up

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National Grid asking for a rate increase in Massachusetts: How much would my bill go up


Massachusetts residents’ gas bills could increase by nearly 10% if a petition from the National Grid is approved.

On Jan. 16, the National Grid filed a petition to increase its gas distribution rates so that it can generate $342 million in additional revenues. 

The request comes as affordability is a major issue in the state, with energy prices being one of the main drivers: in November, 21% of Massachusetts voters said that utilities were the single biggest strain on their household budget in a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll. At the State of the Commonwealth in January, Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state would temporarily lower electricity and gas bills in February and March.

But if the National Grid’s request is approved by the state Department of Public Utilities, customers will see monthly bill increases in December.

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How much could my utility bill go up?

According to the National Grid and the Department of Public Utilities, a typical residential heating customer of the Boston Gas Company – which services greater Boston and central Massachusetts – will see their monthly bill increase by $23.66, or 8.4%, during the winter season. 

A typical customer of the Colonial Gas Company – which services some communities on the Cape and in Merrimack Valley – will see their monthly bill increase $24.76, or 9.4%.

Slightly different rate increases will apply to low-income heating and non-heating customers and typical non-heating customers, as well as commercial and industrial customers.

Why does the National Grid want to raise prices?

The DPU said that utilities 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.”

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The National Grid is hoping to use the increase in revenue to pay costs including for new gas pipes, to recover charges from billing errors last year and to address gas safety regulations and compliance.

When would my utility bill go up?

According to DPU, if the petition is approved, customers can expect rate increases effective Dec. 1, 2026.

Do I have a say?

If you want to comment on the petition, you can submit emailed written comments to dpu.efiling@mass.gov, DPU2650.GridRateCase@mass.gov and rhumm@keeganwerlin.com by 5 p.m. on April 30, 2026.

There will also be seven public hearings:

  • March 18 in Lowell
  • March 23 in North Quincy
  • March 26 in South Yarmouth
  • March 31 in Haverhill
  • April 6 in Lynn
  • April 9 in Acton
  • April 15 in Boston



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Massachusetts

Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks

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Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks




Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks – CBS Boston

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Poya Sohrabi hasn’t heard from his family since they took shelter from attacks in Tehran. WBZ-TV’s Mike Sullivan reports.

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How will the Iran war impact gas prices in Massachusetts?

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How will the Iran war impact gas prices in Massachusetts?


With a widening conflict in the Middle East after the American and Israeli attack on Iran Saturday, global markets are bracing for a shakeup in the energy supply chain.

So, here at home, what can consumers expect at the gas pump?

An increase in oil prices is almost always followed by an increase in gas prices. And the oil market has already reacted to the war. NBC News reported on Sunday that U.S. crude oil initially spiked more than 10%, while Brent, the international oil benchmark, rose as much as 13%.

Early Monday morning, reports were coming in of black smoke rising from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait City.

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While Iran’s oil reserves supply less than an estimated 5% of global production, the main concern is the Strait of Hormuz. This maritime passageway borders Iran at the bottleneck of the Persian Gulf, and more than 20% of the world’s oil passes through. If Iran closes or restricts Hormuz, the oil market could face severe disruptions.

Gas prices rise about 2.5 cents for every dollar increase in crude oil prices. As of Sunday, U.S. crude oil prices had already increased by nearly $5 a barrel.

“I fully expect that by Monday night, you could credibly say that gas prices are being impacted by oil prices having gone up,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan told NBC News.

GasBuddy characterizes their expectations for price increases as “incremental” rather than “explosive”. The group said to anticipate a potential 10-15 cent increase over the next couple of weeks.

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Body camera video shows Massachusetts police officer save 78-year-old man from burning truck – East Idaho News

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Body camera video shows Massachusetts police officer save 78-year-old man from burning truck – East Idaho News


EASTON, Mass. (WBZ) — Police body camera video shows an Easton, Massachusetts, officer rescuing a 78-year-old Raynham man from a burning car on Friday morning.

A Mack dump truck was experiencing problems on the side of Turnpike Street just after 2 a.m. when a Ford pickup truck struck the back of it, according to police.

The pickup truck then became stuck under the dump truck, trapping the driver, Francis Leverone, inside. A Toyota Camry then hit the back of the pickup truck and caught fire, police said.

Easton police officer Dean Soucie arrived at the crash and saw that the two vehicles were on fire. Video shows Soucie rushing over before breaking the driver’s side window and then, with the help of the two witnesses, freeing Leverone from the pickup truck. Soucie said he was confused but conscious.

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“As I reached inside the vehicle, one of the passersby — he actually jumped into the cab of the truck, and he helped me free the individual,” Soucie said.

They then carried the driver to safety.

Leverone was taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to a Boston hospital. He received serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

No one else was injured in the crash.

Dee Leverone told WBZ her husband is doing OK. “I’m just thankful for the people that got him out,” she said. “Very thankful.”

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After watching the police body-cam video on the news she said, “I was shocked, I was like ‘Oh my God!’ I just couldn’t believe it. His truck is like melted.”

She says she realized that something was wrong last night when her husband never made it home from work.

“I kept trying to call him and call him, and I finally got a hold of him at like 4:30 a.m., and he was at (Good Samaritan Hospital) and he told me he’s gotten in an accident,” Dee said.

She says he’s recovering at the Boston Medical Center and being treated for a dislocated hip.

“He’s a trooper,” Dee said. “He’s a strong man — and you know he’s 78, but you know he’s a toughie. He definitely is a toughie.”

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Soucie commended the help of the two witnesses and said that before he arrived at the crash, they had attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher and removed a gasoline tank from the pickup truck before it could ignite.

“They jumped into action like it was nothing,” Soucie said. “Those two individuals were absolutely awesome.”

Easton Police Chief Keith Boone said that he is “extremely proud” of Soucie and the witnesses.

“He saved a life last night,” Chief Boone said. “He is an exemplary police officer and this is just one example. I think he’s a hero.”

Turnpike Street was closed for several hours following the crash. Easton Police are investigating.

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