Massachusetts Commercial Electricity Rates for Cannabis Facilities: Basic Service, ISO-NE, and Utility Classes
Massachusetts commercial electricity averaged 24.52 cents per kWh in June 2026, about 73 percent above the U.S. average of 14.19 cents, while industrial customers averaged 18.97 cents. Eversource and National Grid bill larger commercial accounts on peak kW demand, Basic Service splits between six-month fixed and monthly pricing by customer size, and ISO New England capacity and transmission pass through on the delivery bill.
Massachusetts figures last verified 2026-09-11. Full citations in the Sources section.
Massachusetts vs. the U.S. average
| Sector | Massachusetts, June 2026 | U.S. average, June 2026 | Massachusetts vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | 24.52 cents/kWh | 14.19 cents/kWh | +10.33 cents, about 73 percent higher |
| Industrial | 18.97 cents/kWh | not in state file |
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A [eia-epm-5-6-a].
The EIA figure blends every commercial customer in the state. Use it to sanity-check a bill, not to budget a facility. The 5.55 cent gap between Massachusetts commercial and industrial averages is mostly structure: larger accounts spread fixed delivery charges over more kWh and often sit on lower energy rates per kWh.
| State | Avg. commercial price | Cannabis market | Energy choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 27.33 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Commercial-only choice |
| Massachusetts | 24.52 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| New York | 23.56 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Washington, D.C. | 23.38 cents/kWh | Medical only | Full commercial choice |
| Rhode Island | 22.70 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Maine | 22.24 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| New Hampshire | 21.22 cents/kWh | Medical only | Full commercial choice |
| Connecticut | 19.62 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| New Jersey | 18.47 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Maryland | 16.84 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Michigan | 16.63 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Capped commercial choice |
| Illinois | 14.53 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Delaware | 14.40 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Ohio | 13.77 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Full commercial choice |
| Pennsylvania | 13.33 cents/kWh | Medical only | Full commercial choice |
| Nevada | 9.83 cents/kWh | Adult-use + medical | Commercial-only choice |
| Texas | 8.66 cents/kWh | Low-THC medical only | Full commercial choice |
Basic Service supply tiers
| Customer segment | Basic Service product | Procurement |
|---|---|---|
| Residential and small commercial | Six-month fixed price | Utility solicitations on published schedule [ma-dpu-basic-service] |
| Medium and large commercial | Monthly pricing by default (3-month fixed available on request) | Four solicitations per year covering three-month strips [ma-dpu-basic-service] |
Basic Service is the benchmark for supplier quotes [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Delivery riders (Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Distributed Solar, Net Metering Recovery) apply regardless of supply choice [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Eversource Eastern Massachusetts delivery classes
Greater Boston rates effective September 1, 2026 [eversource-ema-rates-2026]:
| Class | Threshold | Distribution demand | Transmission demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-1 Small General Service | Average demand not exceeding 100 kW over 12 months | $22.31/kW above 10 kW (demand option) or non-demand all-kWh option | $19.34/kW above 10 kW (demand option) [eversource-ema-rates-2026] |
| G-2 Medium General Service | Over 100 kW average, service under 14 kV | $20.21/kW | $13.74/kW [eversource-ema-rates-2026] |
| G-3 Large General Service | 14 kV and above, customer-owned transformers | $15.97/kW | $14.08/kW [eversource-ema-rates-2026] |
Class assignment uses the average of 12 consecutive months of demand, not a single-month ratchet [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. Western Massachusetts Eversource divisions post different figures; confirm division on the bill.
National Grid Massachusetts delivery classes
| Class | Threshold | Demand charge notes |
|---|---|---|
| G-1 Small General Service | Below 10,000 kWh per month or 200 kW | No demand charge [national-grid-ma-rates] |
| G-2 General Service (Demand) | Above 10,000 kWh per month, demand not exceeding 200 kW | $15.06/kW distribution demand [national-grid-ma-rates] |
| G-3 Time-of-Use | Demand greater than 200 kW | Peak hours 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; $10.48/kW distribution and $21.91/kW transmission demand [national-grid-ma-rates] |
Source: National Grid Massachusetts business service rates page [national-grid-ma-rates]. Confirm effective date on the utility site before quoting.
ISO New England context
Massachusetts sits entirely inside ISO New England [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Forward Capacity Market and transmission costs flow through delivery bills. Transmission for demand-metered commercial classes is billed by the distribution company as a per-kW demand charge, not by the supplier [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Supply contracts should state how capacity and transmission are treated if priced separately.
Seasonality and cultivation peaks
Statewide normals run to 6,132 heating degree days and 516 cooling degree days [noaa-cag-massachusetts]. Indoor grows run flat lighting year-round; summer dehumidification often sets the monthly peak that drives demand charges. National Grid G-3 time-of-use billing makes peak hour placement matter: peak hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays [national-grid-ma-rates].
How to read a Massachusetts commercial bill
Typical line items:
- Delivery energy charge per kWh on your class schedule
- Delivery demand charge per kW on peak kW if demand-metered
- Transmission demand charge per kW on peak kW if applicable
- Basic Service or supplier supply charge per kWh
- Riders: Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Distributed Solar, Net Metering Recovery [ma-dpu-basic-service]
Compare supplier offers on supply kWh only after separating riders. Use the demand charge estimator with your actual peak kW for cultivation scenarios.
Municipal light plants
About 40 Massachusetts towns operate municipal light plants without retail supplier choice [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Rates are set locally. Cannabis facilities in MLP towns budget from the local tariff, not Basic Service.
Unitil and Cape Light Compact notes
Unitil serves Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Townsend, and Ashby with the same DPU Basic Service rules as Eversource and National Grid [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Figures on this page use Eversource Eastern MA and National Grid examples; Unitil GD schedules differ [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Cape Light Compact customers on Cape Cod may have different efficiency program routing through Mass Save sponsors [masssave-business-rebates].
Renewable riders on every bill
Basic Service includes minimum RPS content only [ma-dpu-basic-service]. The Renewable Energy Charge, Distributed Solar Charge, and Net Metering Recovery Surcharge stay on delivery when you switch suppliers [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Supplier contracts that promise "100 percent renewable" still leave those delivery riders in place unless structured as a green product with disclosed REC treatment [ma-dpu-competitive-supply-overview].
Comparing Eversource Eastern MA to National Grid G-3
Posted September 1, 2026 Greater Boston G-2 bills $20.21/kW distribution and $13.74/kW transmission demand [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. National Grid G-3 bills $10.48/kW distribution and $21.91/kW transmission with weekday peak TOU energy [national-grid-ma-rates]. A 300 kW peak therefore costs different dollars on each utility even before energy kWh [eversource-ema-rates-2026] [national-grid-ma-rates].
Industrial average gap
Massachusetts industrial customers averaged 18.97 cents per kWh versus 24.52 cents commercial in June 2026 [eia-epm-5-6-a]. Cultivation facilities pushed into G-2 and G-3 with high demand still behave like commercial accounts for Basic Service tier purposes unless reclassified [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Unitil GD schedules in north-central MA
Unitil serves Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Townsend, and Ashby with the same DPU Basic Service rules as Eversource and National Grid [ma-dpu-basic-service]. GD-1/GD-2/GD-3 demand charges were not verified in this pass; pull Unitil rate PDFs before quoting [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Energy Efficiency Charge and Mass Save
The Energy Efficiency Charge funds Mass Save on every delivery bill [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Switching supplier does not remove the charge or Mass Save eligibility [masssave-business-rebates]. Prescriptive lighting incentives require controls on large C and I projects [masssave-business-rebates].
Additional procurement and tariff notes
Massachusetts commercial averaged 24.52 cents/kWh in June 2026, highest among these six states [eia-epm-5-6-a]. Industrial averaged 18.97 cents/kWh [eia-epm-5-6-a].
Additional load and utility notes
Basic Service medium and large C and I defaults to monthly pricing procured quarterly [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Six-month fixed Basic Service applies to residential and small C and I only [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Additional load and utility notes
Renewable Energy Charge, Energy Efficiency Charge, Distributed Solar Charge, and Net Metering Recovery Surcharge stay on delivery with or without supplier [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Additional load and utility notes
Eversource Eastern MA G-2 at $20.21/kW distribution and National Grid G-3 at $10.48/kW distribution differ materially at 300 kW peak [eversource-ema-rates-2026] [national-grid-ma-rates].
Additional load and utility notes
Roughly forty municipal light plant towns have no supplier market [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Verify territory before lease signing [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Basic Service procurement strips
Medium and large C and I Basic Service is procured quarterly for three-month strips at monthly pricing [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Compare supplier fixed offers to trailing Basic Service cost, not brochure rates [ma-dpu-competitive-supply-overview]. Energy Efficiency Charge funds Mass Save regardless of supplier [ma-dpu-basic-service]. National Grid G-3 transmission at $21.91/kW and Eversource G-2 transmission at $13.74/kW diverge at 300 kW peak [national-grid-ma-rates] [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. MLP towns lack supplier choice entirely [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Confirm service territory on every lease in greater Boston suburbs [ma-dpu-basic-service].
G-2 demand illustration at 180 kW
Assume 180 kW peak on Eversource Eastern MA G-2 (input). Distribution demand at $20.21/kW and transmission at $13.74/kW yields about $6,111 per month on delivery demand alone [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. Add customer charge steps, riders, and supply [ma-dpu-basic-service]. National Grid G-3 at the same peak bills different transmission dollars [national-grid-ma-rates]. Monthly Basic Service on large C and I passes ISO-NE winter spikes without a supplier contract [ma-dpu-basic-service]. MLP towns cannot shop supply [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Supplemental tariff and procurement detail
Massachusetts commercial 24.52 cents/kWh June 2026 leads the region [eia-epm-5-6-a]. Basic Service monthly default on medium and large C and I passes ISO-NE winter volatility [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Renewable and net metering riders persist with supplier [ma-dpu-basic-service]. Compare Eversource G-2 and National Grid G-3 demand at identical kW before site selection [eversource-ema-rates-2026] [national-grid-ma-rates].
Demand-heavy commercial averages
At 24.52 cents/kWh commercial average, Massachusetts leads the six-state set [eia-epm-5-6-a]. G-2 demand at 180 kW can exceed $6,000 per month on delivery demand alone before supply [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. MLP towns lack supplier choice [ma-dpu-basic-service].
EIA sector averages versus account bills
Massachusetts commercial 24.52 cents/kWh and industrial 18.97 cents/kWh June 2026 are statewide blends [eia-epm-5-6-a]. G-2 demand at 180 kW illustrates delivery-heavy bills [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. MLP towns cannot shop supply [ma-dpu-basic-service].
National Grid G-3 transmission note
G-3 transmission demand exceeds Eversource G-2 transmission at identical kW on posted schedules [national-grid-ma-rates] [eversource-ema-rates-2026].
Eversource versus National Grid demand math
Massachusetts commercial customers paid 24.52 cents per kWh and industrial 18.97 cents per kWh on average in June 2026, but account-level bills diverge sharply by utility [eia-epm-5-6-a]. Eversource G-2 bills $20.21 per kW distribution demand plus $13.74 per kW transmission demand on average demand above 100 kW [eversource-ema-rates-2026]. National Grid G-2 bills $15.06 per kW distribution demand above 10,000 kWh per month [national-grid-ma-rates]. Municipal light plant towns cannot shop supply; verify territory before lease signing in greater Boston suburbs [ma-dpu-basic-service].
Where to go next
The switching guide walks enrollment. Utility-specific detail is on Eversource Massachusetts and National Grid Massachusetts. Facility load profiles are on the cultivation and dispensary pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is 24.52 cents per kWh what my Massachusetts facility will pay?
No. It is EIA's statewide average revenue per kWh across all commercial customers in June 2026, delivery and supply combined. A small dispensary on six-month Basic Service with a competitive supply contract can beat it; a large grow with high summer peak and G-2 demand charges can exceed it.
Why is Massachusetts commercial power above the U.S. average?
Massachusetts commercial averaged 24.52 cents against 14.19 cents U.S. in June 2026. The gap reflects ISO-NE capacity and transmission, delivery infrastructure, renewable riders, and the customer mix in the average. Industrial customers averaged 18.97 cents, showing load factor and class placement matter.
How often does Basic Service reset?
Residential and small commercial Basic Service uses a six-month fixed price. Medium and large commercial Basic Service defaults to monthly pricing procured quarterly for three-month strips.
What Eversource class applies above 100 kW average demand?
G-2 Medium General Service applies when average demand exceeds 100 kW over 12 consecutive months, with $20.21/kW distribution and $13.74/kW transmission demand on Greater Boston rates effective September 1, 2026.
Are Massachusetts rates seasonal?
Supply is. ISO-NE wholesale energy and capacity peak in winter and summer, and grows peak in humid months with 516 cooling degree days statewide. Delivery demand charges bill the monthly peak kW, which for cultivation is often July or August.
Related reading
- Massachusetts Cannabis Energy: Electricity Choice, ISO-NE Rates, and CCC Licensing for Licensed Operators
Massachusetts cannabis power: DPU choice on Eversource and National Grid, Basic Service benchmarks, and 24.52 cents/kWh commercial average.
- How to Switch Electricity Suppliers in Massachusetts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Cannabis Businesses
Step-by-step Massachusetts supplier switching for cannabis on Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil: Basic Service benchmarks, DPU rules, and enrollment timing.
- Eversource Massachusetts for Cannabis Facilities: G-1, G-2, G-3, Basic Service, and Mass Save
Eversource Massachusetts cannabis billing: Eastern and Western MA G-1/G-2/G-3 classes, demand charges, Basic Service tiers, and competitive supply enrollment.
- National Grid Massachusetts for Cannabis Facilities: G-3 Time-of-Use, Worcester Territory, and Supply Choice
National Grid Massachusetts cannabis billing: G-1/G-2/G-3 classes, TOU peak hours, demand charges in central MA, and Basic Service benchmarks.
- Demand Charges Explained for Cannabis Cultivators
What a demand charge is, how utilities measure peak kW in 15- or 30-minute windows, why grow rooms get hit hard, how ratchets work, and a worked example.
- Utility Rate Classes Explained: Small Commercial, Large Commercial, C&I
How utilities assign small, large, and C&I rate classes by peak kW, why the wrong class costs money, real tariff examples, and how to request a class review.
- State Commercial Rate Comparison
Compare average commercial electricity prices across cannabis states, with cannabis market status and supplier choice rules pulled from verified state data.
- Demand Charge Estimator
Estimate monthly and annual demand charges from your peak kW, average kW, and tariff rate. Model load factor and peak shaving savings.
Jason Taken founded Jaken Energy, the commercial energy procurement practice behind this site. He works with licensed cannabis operators in deregulated electricity markets to lower supply rates, manage demand charges, and evaluate efficiency upgrades.
Sources
Inline citations in this article, such as [eia-epm-5-6-a], refer to the entries below. Links open the primary source in a new tab.
- [eia-epm-5-6-a]Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State, June 2026 and June 2025 — U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [ma-dpu-basic-service]Basic service information and rates (updated July 6, 2026) — Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [eversource-ema-rates-2026]2026 Summary of Eastern Massachusetts Electric Rates for Greater Boston Service Area, rates effective September 1, 2026 — Eversource Energy. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [national-grid-ma-rates]Massachusetts Business Service Rates (G-1, G-2, G-3) — National Grid. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [noaa-cag-massachusetts]Climate at a Glance: Massachusetts statewide heating and cooling degree days, 1991-2020 base period averages — NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [masssave-business-rebates]Mass Save Business Rebates and Incentives — Mass Save. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [ma-dpu-competitive-supply-overview]Competitive electric supply product overview — Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Accessed 2026-09-11.