Lynn residents press National Grid over high winter gas bills; council votes to ask state regulators for review

Lynn City CouncilUtilities Committee held a public hearing March 25 in which residents pressed National Grid officials for answers after unusually high natural‑gas bills this winter, and councilors voted to ask state officials and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for a review and clearer public notice.

National Grid representatives told the committee cold weather and components inside the delivery charge explained much of the increase. "There are two main components to a bill: delivery and supply," a National Grid representative said. The company said winter temperatures in January averaged roughly 9.4% colder than the 20‑year average and that customer usage rose about 24% compared with the prior winter; an approved rate change that took effect in November 2024 also raised collection for programs such as Mass Save and low‑income assistance.

Why it matters: many Lynn households reported unexpected bills this winter that, in some cases, exceeded residents' monthly incomes and savings. The committee heard repeated testimony that delivery charges and pooled program costs were opaque, and that outreach and…