National Grid Faces Rate Hike in Massachusetts and Storm-Driven Power Outages in New York

National Grid Proposes 10% Gas Rate Increase for Massachusetts Customers

Massachusetts residents are bracing for a potential 10% hike in their gas bills as National Grid, one of the state’s largest utilities, prepares to file a rate increase request in mid-January. The proposed change, if approved by state regulators, would affect about 950,000 gas customers across the Commonwealth, with new rates scheduled to take effect in January 2027. This marks the utility’s first base rate increase in five years, a period defined by rising material costs, escalating labor expenses, and tightened safety regulations.

Lisa Wieland, National Grid’s New England president, emphasized the balance the company is trying to strike between investing in infrastructure and keeping energy affordable. “We understand those cost pressures facing our customers,” Wieland explained, underscoring the company’s effort to mitigate the impact while making critical upgrades. For residents in Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts, this could mean an extra $24 per month on their winter bills, while those in Cape Cod and the Merrimack Valley could see monthly increases of $25.

According to the Boston Globe, winter bills would rise by 8.4% in Boston Gas territory and 9.4% in Colonial Gas territory. Annually, Boston Gas customers would see a 9.8% increase, while Colonial Gas bills would jump 10.9%. National Grid aims to distribute the cost across all seasons to soften the blow during peak winter demand. The company’s infrastructure, which includes roughly 11,000 miles of gas distribution pipes—nearly one-third of which date back before 1970—requires ongoing investments. Projects already in progress, such as a new pipe tunnel in Lowell and compressor upgrades at the Dorchester liquefied natural gas storage plant, are part of the spending plan.

The rate filing comes as the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), under Governor Maura Healey’s direction, investigates energy price volatility. The DPU’s decision is expected in late 2026, leaving customers with months of uncertainty about future bills. About 730,000 Boston Gas customers and 220,000 Colonial Gas customers would be impacted, with more than 90% being residential or small business accounts.

Storms Bring Power Outages to Upstate New York

While Massachusetts residents contemplate higher bills, National Grid’s New York operations have been grappling with the immediate challenge of severe weather. On a recent Friday morning, nearly 12,000 homes and businesses in Central New York lost power as high winds toppled wires throughout the region. Gusts reached up to 50 mph, with the National Weather Service warning that wind-driven outages could persist until the early hours of Saturday.

In Onondaga County alone, National Grid reported almost 9,000 customers without electricity, while Madison County saw more than 2,400 affected. Van Buren, Camillus, and Manlius were among the hardest hit, and local 911 centers were inundated with calls about downed wires. Wellwood Middle School in the Fayetteville-Manlius district had to close due to the outage, though other schools remained open. NYSEG, another utility in the region, also reported outages, though on a smaller scale.

National Grid responded by ramping up staffing and urging residents to exercise extreme caution near fallen power lines, warning that they may still carry live electricity. The company’s outage map allowed residents to monitor restoration efforts in real time. The utility’s preparedness was tested by the storm’s intensity, as winds, rain, and the threat of freezing temperatures posed risks not only to electrical infrastructure but also to road safety and daily routines.

Balancing Affordability, Reliability, and Resilience

These twin stories—rate increases in Massachusetts and storm-induced outages in New York—reveal the complex landscape utilities must navigate. National Grid is caught between the need to modernize aging infrastructure and the imperative to keep energy affordable. “A lot has changed” since the last rate case in 2020, Wieland noted, referencing the spike in material and labor costs as well as stricter safety requirements.

Meanwhile, climate-driven weather events are testing the resilience of existing systems. High winds, heavy rain, and freezing conditions threaten to overwhelm distribution networks, making rapid response and ongoing investment in grid reliability essential. The company’s experience in New York illustrates how quickly natural forces can disrupt service, and how utility preparedness is vital to minimizing the impact on communities.

Customers Caught in the Crosshairs

For customers, the stakes are tangible. In Massachusetts, the prospect of higher bills adds financial pressure, particularly for residential and small business users who make up the vast majority of National Grid’s clientele. In New York, the sudden loss of power disrupts daily life, from school closures to traffic hazards caused by icy roads and downed wires. The DPU’s ongoing investigation into energy price swings reflects growing concern over affordability, even as utilities must invest in modernization and safety.

At both ends of the spectrum, National Grid’s actions are under scrutiny—from the regulatory process in Massachusetts to emergency storm response in New York. The utility’s challenge is to demonstrate that it can deliver reliable service while justifying the cost to customers, all in the face of changing economic, environmental, and regulatory realities.

National Grid’s story in 2025 is one of adaptation under pressure: balancing rising costs, aging infrastructure, and unpredictable weather. The coming months will test not only its operational capacity but also its ability to communicate transparently with customers and regulators about the true price of energy in a changing world.