Massachusetts

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

Published

2 months ago

February 13, 2026

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.

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.”

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

Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

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Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

CHELMSFORD, MASS. (WHDH) – A wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle on I-495 in Chelmsford Tuesday night, shutting down the soundbound lanes in that area, according to Massachusetts State Police and The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

State police said Troopers from the Concord Barracks responded to a two-car crash on I-495 at the Hunt Road overpass shortly before 10 p.m. They said preliminary information indicates the crash happened as a result of a wrong-way driver striking a vehicle traveling in the correct direction.

Chelmsford Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital by MedFlight. State police said they suffered life-threatening injuries.

MassDOT said the highway southbound is currently closed at exit 88 due to the crash, and is expected to remain closed for several hours.

Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes at this time.

This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

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Massachusetts

Two stabbed at Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods plant in Haverhill

Published

15 hours ago

April 21, 2026

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Two stabbed at Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods plant in Haverhill

Two people were seriously injured in a stabbing at the Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods manufacturing facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Tuesday morning.

Haverhill police said they responded to the Cedar’s plan on Foundation Avenue around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a disturbance involving a weapon. When they arrived, they found two people suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Both people were provided with medical assistance on scene and taken to area hospitals with what police described as serious injuries. Their names have not been released, and no update on their conditions was immediately available.

Preliminary investigation determined that the two people knew each other, and police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. They said their investigation into the incident remains active.

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Massachusetts

Injured Massachusetts teen thanks rescuers who

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

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Injured Massachusetts teen thanks rescuers who

Two Plymouth, Massachusetts teens were saved from the summit of Mount Washington after a leg injury stranded them.

Khang Nguyen,17, said he and his friend, 18-year-old Vaughn Webb, thought they were well prepared for their hike on Saturday. They brought trekking poles, layers, microspikes for their boots and more.

But halfway up the trail, Nguyen feared the worst when his leg began to hurt.

“It was just incredibly painful to lift up my right leg,” he explained. “I told [Vaughn] to leave me behind so I could go on my own pace and for him to reach the summit to get help at first.”

The pair managed to reach the top of the mountain but had to seek shelter next to a building as wind gusts increased, and the air temperature reached 38 degrees. Nguyen said they also ran out of food and water. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department received the 911 call around 7:30 p.m. and quickly alerted a State Park employee who began to search for the two teens.

“Conservation Officers then began responding in four-wheel-drive pickup trucks to try and get to the summit and back ahead of incoming snow,” the game department said in a statement.

After around 30 minutes of reaching both Webb and Nguyen were found. They were taken inside a building and Nguyen was being treated for his injury.

“The worker that was up there, [said] that they came in record time, and we appreciate their help a lot. It saved our lives potentially,” Nguyen explained.

The pair was successfully taken off the mountain by 10 p.m. The two teens are now safely back in Massachusetts and are incredibly grateful to their rescuers.

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