State OKs Electric Rate Cut For National Grid Customers

WORCESTER, MA — A big electric rate hike absorbed by many National Grid customers in Massachusetts will soon be mostly reversed.

The state Department of Public Utilities recently approved a cut in National Grid rates — estimated at about 40 percent for customers using the average amount of electricity each month. The rate cut will go into effect May 1.

"The Department knows that these rate reductions will provide much-needed relief to families and businesses," DPU acting Chair Cecile Fraser said in a news release. "We continue to work with utilities and stakeholders to help transition our energy supply to clean energy sources at a stable and affordable cost."

That cut is welcome news for customers whose rates doubled in recent months. DPU allowed National Grid to increase winter supply rates on Nov. 1 from last winter's 14.82 cents per kilowatt-hour rate to 33.89 cents/Kwh. National Grid said it needed the increase expecting natural gas rates to rise over the winter, partly due to shortages overseas related to the war in Ukraine.

But that natural gas stress never really materialized due to a warmer overall winter in Massachusetts. DPU approved a small natural gas rate cut earlier this year — that went into effect this month.

National Grid provides electricity for many communities in the state with about 1.4 million customers.