Healy‑Driscoll House 1 funds climate resilience, clean energy and food security in Massachusetts

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means that the governor’s House 1 (H1) budget builds on the administration’s climate and equity priorities and provides money to meet the state’s net‑zero commitments.

Tepper opened her testimony saying the Secretariat’s mission succinctly: “We seek to protect, preserve, and enhance the state's environmental resources for all, and while ensuring an affordable clean energy future for all.” Her office described H1 as continuing the administration’s focus on resilience, equity and workforce development.

House 1 proposes direct funding for several priorities that Tepper highlighted to the committee. The testimony said H1 would allocate $3.6 million to the Department of Public Utilities and the Department of Energy Resources for implementing energy‑facility siting reforms and for a newly created office of public participation at the DPU. H1 would provide $1 million for dam‑safety technical assistance and $2.8 million for culvert and small‑bridge assistance. The budget also includes an $8.3 million investment labeled for environmental justice and equity work across the Secretariat.

Tepper and agency witnesses discussed workforce and economic development in climate tech. The governor’s bill would supply $30 million to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to support startups, offshore wind infrastructure, supply‑chain investments and workforce programs, including the center’s internship program. Emily Reithen, CEO of MassCEC, said the center’s internship program has “supported actually now almost 7,000 interns hosted by 600 companies” and that many internships convert into paid hires.

On food security, Tepper said the budget would continue support for the state’s newly formed Division of Food Security and include $40.2 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, which the administration said translates into more than 38 million meals in fiscal year 2026 to be distributed by the state’s four regional food banks.

Tepper said H1 funds would be directed toward the administration’s next environmental bond bill and its Resilient Mass plan of more than 125 actions across state agencies. She also told lawmakers H1 maintains prior investments in the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and funds efforts on PFAS mitigation, forest stewardship and seafood safety.

Why it matters: The administration framed H1 as a package intended to protect communities from extreme weather, expand clean energy and invest in community resilience and equity. The proposals affect municipal planning, permitting and grant programs used by towns across Massachusetts.

What comes next: Committee members asked detailed follow‑up questions about specific programs, including municipal vulnerability planning, the Clean Energy Center’s workforce investments, dam safety, and overviews of how state agencies would support towns with project delivery. Lawmakers also raised concerns about federal funding uncertainty and whether the state can fill gaps if federal grants are reduced or delayed.

Ending: Tepper closed by saying the administration would take questions and continue to work with legislators on program details and local impacts.