Massachusetts governor files energy affordability bill to cut charges, expand discounts and bring new supply

Governor Healy filed new legislation Thursday aimed at lowering utility bills for Massachusetts residents and businesses, announcing the Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act at the Veterans Center in Leominster.

The governor said the bill would “save another $10,000,000,000 or more,” including about $100,000,000 in the first year, and outlined measures to remove certain charges from customer bills, expand an existing moderate-income discount to natural gas customers, reform financing for programs such as Mass Save, and bring new electricity supply into the region.

Why it matters: Lawmakers and city officials at the event said high utility costs are a top concern for seniors, veterans, small businesses and working families in gateway cities such as Leominster. The administration framed the bill as a combination of consumer protections, procurement changes and permitting reforms aimed at lowering monthly bills by increasing supply and stopping bill spikes.

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Governor Healy said, “We’re filing a bill today that, I’m calling the Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act,” and that the proposal would “take…