National Grid Massachusetts Complete Guide to Worcester Area Rates, Service Territory, and Energy Choice

National Grid is one of two major electric utilities serving Massachusetts, providing electricity distribution to approximately 1.3 million customers across central and parts of eastern Massachusetts. Company background:

• Subsidiary of National Grid plc (UK-headquartered multinational)
• Operates as a distribution utility—delivers electricity but doesn't generate it
• Also operates natural gas distribution in much of its electric territory

How electricity supply works:

• Basic Service – The default option through National Grid
• Competitive supply – Licensed suppliers through MA Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

💡 Key point: National Grid delivers power through lines and substations regardless of which supplier you choose.

National Grid serves two distinct territories in Massachusetts, each with separate rate structures. Massachusetts Electric Company (largest territory):

• Worcester – Central Massachusetts hub
• Merrimack Valley – Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill
• North Shore – Salem, Beverly, Gloucester
• South Shore and MetroWest – Portions of these regions
• Spans from New Hampshire border south to Rhode Island

Nantucket Electric Company:

• Serves Nantucket Island exclusively
• Connected via undersea cables to mainland
• Historically higher rates due to infrastructure costs

✅ Both territories participate in Massachusetts electricity choice.

National Grid Basic Service is the default electricity supply for customers who haven't selected a competitive supplier. Rate change schedule:

• Rates change every six months
• Typically January and July for residential customers

What Basic Service includes:

• Wholesale electricity procurement costs
• Transmission charges
• Regulatory compliance fees
• No utility markup – National Grid earns no profit on supply

Typical rate ranges:

• Massachusetts Electric territory: 12-16¢/kWh depending on period
• Nantucket Electric: Generally higher due to transmission infrastructure costs

💡 Note: Delivery charges appear separately and remain regardless of supplier choice.

National Grid Basic Service rates reflect wholesale electricity market conditions in ISO New England, the regional grid operator. How procurement works:

• Competitive procurements every six months
• Purchases electricity at market prices
• National Grid passes through costs—no control over supply pricing

Key factors affecting rates:

• Natural gas prices – New England relies heavily on gas-fired plants
• Seasonal demand – Peaks in summer and winter
• Transmission constraints – Limited pipeline capacity into New England
• Renewable compliance costs – State mandates add to supply costs

⚠️ Winter rate spikes: Natural gas competition between power plants and home heating often drives higher winter rates. 💡 This procurement model helps explain why competitive suppliers may not always beat Basic Service.

Massachusetts electricity choice allows National Grid customers to purchase generation from competitive suppliers licensed by the DPU. How ElectricRates.org helps:

• Compares rates from all DPU-licensed suppliers
• Shows only plans with real savings potential
• National Grid customers save an average of $521*/year

Contract types available:

• Fixed rates – Price stability for contract term
• Variable rates – May change monthly with market
• Green energy plans – Renewable energy options

⚠️ Important caution: Massachusetts Attorney General data shows many residential customers pay more with competitive suppliers than Basic Service. Use comparison tools like ElectricRates.org that calculate your actual savings potential. ✅ Switching typically completes within 1-2 billing cycles without service interruption.

Many communities in National Grid's Massachusetts territory offer municipal aggregation programs (Community Choice Aggregation or CCA). CCA benefits:

• Bulk contracts negotiate better rates than individual shopping
• Over 150 Massachusetts municipalities have approved programs
• Many offer higher renewable content than state requirements

Participating areas in National Grid territory:

• Worcester County towns
• Merrimack Valley communities
• North Shore municipalities

How enrollment works:

• Auto-enrollment for eligible customers
• Opt-out period provided
• Notification letters sent before enrollment takes effect

💡 Check with your municipal clerk or town website to see if your community participates.

National Grid bills clearly separate supply and delivery charges. Supply charges (generation):

• Basic Service rate OR your competitive supplier's rate
• Measured per kilowatt-hour (kWh)

Delivery charges (infrastructure):

• Power lines, substations, transformers
• Smart meters
• Emergency response

Other bill components:

• Customer charge – Fixed monthly fee for account administration
• Transition charges – Recovery from utility restructuring
• Adjustments – Energy efficiency, renewable compliance, storm recovery

💡 With competitive supplier: Their rate replaces Basic Service supply charges, but all delivery components remain unchanged. National Grid continues billing you for complete service.

National Grid handles all power outages in its Massachusetts territory regardless of your electricity supplier. Report outages:

• Online: NationalGridUS.com
• Mobile app: National Grid app
• Phone: 📞 1-800-322-3223

Outage map features:

• Affected areas displayed
• Estimated restoration times
• Crew locations

Grid reliability investments:

• Vegetation management
• Equipment upgrades
• Storm hardening
• Pre-positioned crews for nor'easters and hurricanes
• Mutual aid coordination with other New England utilities

✅ Important: Your supplier choice never affects outage response—National Grid crews serve all customers equally. 🚨 Emergency: Downed power lines require immediate reporting. Stay away from hazard and call immediately.

National Grid offers several assistance programs for customers struggling with bills. Available programs:

• LIHEAP – Federally-funded bill payment assistance through MA Dept. of Housing and Community Development
• Discount Rate – 25-32% reduction on delivery charges for income-eligible customers
• Arrearage Management Program (AMP) – Earn monthly credits toward past-due balances by making current payments
• Budget Billing – Spread annual costs into equal monthly payments

Payment plans: Available through customer service 📞 1-800-322-3223 Winter protections:

• No disconnection from November 15 through March 15
• Applies to households demonstrating inability to pay
• Medical certificates protect households with serious illness

Beyond comparing suppliers, National Grid customers can reduce bills through efficiency programs. Mass Save® programs (masssave.com):

• No-cost home energy assessments
• Rebates on efficient appliances
• Weatherization assistance

Energy efficiency tips:

• Smart thermostats – Reduce heating/cooling costs by 10-15%
• LED lighting – Uses 75% less energy than incandescent
• Air sealing – Improves efficiency in New England's older housing stock

Rate shopping tips:

• Check if your municipality offers community aggregation
• Compare Basic Service against competitive offers when rates change (January and July)
• Consider whether price stability from fixed-rate outweighs variable rate savings

⚠️ Caution: Be careful with competitive suppliers given Attorney General findings showing many customers pay more than Basic Service.