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Gov. Healey unveils $10 billion energy relief plan for Massachusetts

“We’re here today to talk about the action that I’m taking to lower your bills, to lower your gas bills, lower your heating bills, lower your electric bills.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey arrives at the JFK Library, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Boston. Robert F. Bukaty / AP

May 13, 2025

2 minutes to read

Gov. Maura Healey filed legislation on Tuesday that could save Massachusetts customers an estimated $10 billion over the next decade in a sweeping effort to cut energy costs for residents and businesses.

The proposal targets utility bill reform by eliminating certain charges, increasing oversight to prevent unnecessary costs, and easing restrictions on emerging nuclear technologies.

“We’re here today to talk about the action that I’m taking to lower your bills, to lower your gas bills, lower your heating bills, lower your electric bills,” the governor said at a press conference in Leominster.

Her work to lower bills earlier in the year did not go far enough, she said, adding, “We’re here to say we’re not done.”

The legislation builds on energy plans announced in March to reduce statewide energy bills by a collective $220 million, which began in April. As part of the initiative, electric and gas customers are expected to save nearly $6 billion over the next five years. The effort began with a $50 credit applied to electricity bills in April.

The proposed legislation would eliminate or significantly reduce electric and gas bill charges by reworking net metering charges and establishing a cap on month-to-month bill increases to avoid spikes.

The bill would also increase supply by allowing Massachusetts to explore nuclear technologies and expand the state’s authority to procure new energy generation sources, such as hydro power from Canada, and energy storage solutions.

In addition, the legislation would authorize the DPU or an outside firm to audit utilities management and operations to ensure that customers pay for costs only associated with delivering power to their homes and businesses.

State Rep. Natalie Higgins, who represents the city of Leominster, says one of the most complex problems her office faces is helping people pay their utility bills.

“It is a hamster wheel that they cannot get off of,” she said at the press conference. “There are so many people in this room who work each and every day, making sure that they can afford that utility bill and stay in their homes.”

She added, “It feels like an insurmountable problem, and I’m so glad for the governor and her administration looking for real solutions to eliminate and reduce utility costs.”

The legislation would also authorize gas companies to own and operate geothermal heat loops that serve individual customers. This would help universities, hospitals, and other large building owners afford this technology while insulating other ratepayers from associated costs.

The bill would prohibit utility shutoffs during heat waves due to financial hardship and offer a discount rate to moderate-income gas customers.

The proposal would also authorize utilities to establish programs that allow individual customers to finance clean heating, weatherization, and other home upgrades through their bills over time, reducing the need for up-front investments paid for through utility rates.

Ticking off the legislation that the Healey administration passed, such as the housing bill and economic development package, state Sen. John Cronin of Worcester and Middlesex asked if anyone sensed a pattern.

“These are pocketbook issues,” he said at the press conference. “These are kitchen table issues. These are economic issues. These are the issues that matter, that actually matter and actually make a difference to working families here in our state.”