National Grid Seeks 10-38% Gas Rate Hike for 1 Million Massachusetts Customers
National Grid filed for a $342 million rate increase affecting 1 million customers across 144 Massachusetts communities. Average monthly bills would rise $24-25 for residential heating customers. The proposal includes a contentious increase in return on equity to 10.2%, potentially the highest since 2010. A public hearing in Lowell drew sharp criticism from city officials and the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, who questioned the timing amid already elevated energy costs from the Iran war.