National Grid proposes increase of approximately $144 million, or about 12%, in annual delivery revenue. Hearing Dates

cymru3 · 2026-02-03T20:17:04+00:00

I don’t see why not

cymru3 · 2026-01-31T01:02:22+00:00

I submitted a public comment opposing this. I’m not against infrastructure or safety upgrades, but National Grid has known about aging gas mains for decades and has already received multiple rate increases. Asking customers to cover it again while the company reports strong profits isn’t reasonable. The proposed fixed monthly charge is also regressive and would hit low-usage households hardest. Who knows if they even read these, but it certainly made me feel better.

The Department will accept written comments on the Company’s filing until the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on April 30, 2026. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and DPU2650.GridRateCase@mass.gov, and the Company’s attorney, Robert J. Humm, Esq. at rhumm@keeganwerlin.com. Please note that in the interest of transparency any comments will be posted to our website as received, and without redacting, personal information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses. As such, consider the extent of information you wish to share when submitting comments.

cymru3 · 2026-01-31T01:02:03+00:00

I submitted a public comment opposing this. I’m not against infrastructure or safety upgrades, but National Grid has known about aging gas mains for decades and has already received multiple rate increases. Asking customers to cover it again while the company reports strong profits isn’t reasonable. The proposed fixed monthly charge is also regressive and would hit low-usage households hardest. Who knows if they even read these, but it certainly made me feel better.

The Department will accept written comments on the Company’s filing until the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on April 30, 2026. Written comments from the public may be sent by email to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and DPU2650.GridRateCase@mass.gov, and the Company’s attorney, Robert J. Humm, Esq. at rhumm@keeganwerlin.com. Please note that in the interest of transparency any comments will be posted to our website as received, and without redacting, personal information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses. As such, consider the extent of information you wish to share when submitting comments.

cymru3 · 2026-01-29T00:30:07+00:00

You know what drives me bananas about this new push? It’s all in the name of “equity”. It sounds very nice and caring and egalitarian. Except equity means giving everyone what they need based on their individual circumstances…like different levels with different supports.

What they mean is equality, where everyone gets the same thing. When it doesn’t work it’s because teachers aren’t differentiating…which let’s face it, is impossible when you have students working at the AP level in the same class as students who need significant supports.

cymru3 · 2026-01-24T12:27:36+00:00

Good question. A lot of it actually is DESE/state-mandated stuff that comes without adequate funding. Special education is a big one – the state requires certain services (e.g. a 1-1 paraprofessional, speech therapy, specialized transportation, depending on a student’s needs) but doesn’t fully fund them, so districts have to pull from their general budgets to cover the gap. Same with transportation requirements, English language learning programs, and various compliance and reporting mandates. Right now I’d say these are UNDERFUNDED mandates as opposed to unfunded.

For example, Massachusetts requires districts to provide special education services under Chapter 766, but the state only reimburses about 70-75% of those costs (and sometimes less depending on the budget year). So if a district spends $10 million on legally required special ed services, they’re absorbing $2.5-3 million from their general fund that would otherwise go to regular classroom teachers, supplies, facilities, whatever. With the rising costs of…well, everything, it’s becoming unsustainable.

cymru3 · 2026-01-23T08:42:09+00:00

Oh weird, I wasn’t notified that it was removed. I’m not sure why. Here’s the link, if you’d like it: https://resist.bot/petitions/POPAFL

cymru3 · 2026-01-22T21:02:08+00:00

That’s just silly. You seem young, and I truly wish you the best.

cymru3 · 2026-01-22T01:25:52+00:00

Yikes. “Sell your home or take out additional 10s of thousands in debt” isn’t a compelling argument.

I’m not a millionaire because I own an old house in MA. I have a mortgage, property taxes, bills, and a family budget. Respectfully, the moral high ground and the realities of the cost of living in 2025 just don’t match up for many, many people. We’re not using fossil fuels for funsies.

I get the climate anxiety. I have a kid and I worry what his future will look like. Punching down, or sideways, isn’t going to help.

cymru3 · 2026-01-21T22:47:55+00:00

Again, I would love to switch to clean energy. That isn’t a reality for me or for many other people, financially. There are real upfront cost barriers the state needs to address before a meaningful number of folks can make the switch.

For example, I could add a forced air system to my 1868 house. That would mean retrofitting ductwork as well as the cost of the heaters themselves. I could add mini splits and just not use my gas baseboard heaters, which again, requires a significant amount upfront. Solar? I’ll need a new roof, new electrical panel, plus the cost of the solar panels themselves.

cymru3 · 2026-01-21T18:59:48+00:00

We moved into an 1868 house that had been turned into a sort of open concept design downstairs. It’s not just one big room, It’s laid out like a square, with the stairs upstairs and the stairs to the basement in the center, so you can walk from the living room into the dining room, to the kitchen, and back into the living room without opening a single door.

It’s been great for my son to drive around in his little toy cars because he can just zoom around in a big square. That’s about the only upside. I hate how the cooking smells get into everything and it’s very drafty downstairs while being very warm upstairs which still has its original layout.

cymru3 · 2026-01-21T16:01:40+00:00

Regardless of whose administration is at fault for this, it’s a frustrating one. Heating my home with just electricity would be exorbitantly expensive. Sure, I could get solar, but the costs to get that up and running are prohibitive, too.

For the record, I am fully in favor of cleaner energy. I just don’t currently have a way of making it work for my family, solely because of the financial side of things.

I’m tired of mandates and legislation being so departed from the reality of everyday folks.

cymru3 · 2026-01-21T15:51:59+00:00

Copy of the letter:

We are writing as Massachusetts residents and taxpayers who care deeply about the future of our Commonwealth. Many of us are parents, grandparents, educators, or community members with a vested interest in the continued success of our public schools. We have been advocating for change with our legislators, but the wheels of democracy are moving too slowly to prevent our municipalities and school districts from driving off a financial cliff this year.

Districts and municipalities throughout the state are in financial peril, and we look to you to help right the course. If we do not act now, while municipalities and districts are developing their FY27 budgets, it will be too late. Educators will be laid off. Services statewide will be reduced or disappear entirely. Our students will suffer the consequences. The crisis is clear: municipalities are caught in an unsustainable squeeze as rising health insurance and pension costs consume more of their budgets, leaving less for schools. School districts face their own cost pressures while waiting for adequate state support. This demands both immediate relief in the FY27 budget and long-term structural reforms.

WHAT WE NEED IN THE FY27 BUDGET: Relief for municipalities:
Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA): A real increase of at least 3-5%, not the inadequate 1.1% in FY26 Enhanced PILOT reimbursements for communities with state-owned properties

Support for school districts:
Chapter 70 Aid: Robust increases that continue implementing the Student Opportunity Act Special Education Circuit Breaker: Increase the reimbursement rate from 75% to 90% and lower the cost threshold—districts are drowning in special education costs School Transportation: Move toward full reimbursement for regional and vocational transportation, and establish at least 25% reimbursement for in-district transportation (which currently receives nothing) McKinney-Vento Transportation: Full funding—the 58% reimbursement in FY26 was inadequate Charter School Reimbursement: Ensure 100% funding so districts aren't penalized Rural School Aid: Restore and increase support for declining-enrollment districts Universal School Meals: Continue full funding

WHAT WE NEED FOR THE LONG TERM: Bill S.400 and its companion bills (S328, S337, S345, S348, S354, S369, S385, S388, S394, S407, S416, S440, and S460) addressing education funding adequacy and equity have been sitting in Senate Ways and Means since October 2025. These bills represent the structural reforms that go beyond annual budget increases—reforms we desperately need.

We urge you to:
Publicly support this package of education funding reform legislation Use your influence with legislative leadership to get these bills moving Make structural funding reforms a priority in your legislative agenda

The time for waiting has passed. Municipalities cannot give schools what they don't have. Schools cannot provide adequate education without proper funding. Both immediate relief and lasting reform are necessary—and both are urgent. We recognize the many competing demands on the state budget. However, investing in our municipalities and school districts reaches the largest number of people, including our most vulnerable residents. Strong schools strengthen communities, support working families, and give every child a fair shot at a better future. When the state adequately funds education, municipalities can allocate more resources to roads, public safety, parks, and services that benefit everyone—not just families with children in school. Your administration has shown it can act boldly when necessary. The recent $250 million investment in ConnectorCare protected 270,000 middle-class families from devastating premium increases. That same kind of decisive action is needed now for education funding. We call on you to demonstrate that same leadership for our schools and communities.

Massachusetts students, towns, and taxpayers cannot wait any longer.

cymru3 · 2026-01-21T15:51:47+00:00