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.

Most important details

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 charges off your bills” and “expand that moderate income discount so that now gas customers will be able to get it in addition to our electric customers.”

Rebecca Tepper, secretary of energy and environmental affairs, described specific program changes the administration is proposing. Tepper said the proposal would “phase out the alternative portfolio standard, reform net metering, and change how programs like Mass Save are financed,” and that the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) would be directed to “move away from charges that spike in the winter and the summer and to cap month to month bill increases where possible.”

The administration also emphasized supply-side measures. Tepper said the bill would “bring energy into the state and our region” and described efforts to restart Canadian hydro imports and to “take a look at nuclear” technology, specifying that the discussion focused on “cutting edge small scale nuclear technology.”

Recent actions and claimed savings

Healy said the administration previously delivered a 10% rate reduction in March and April and a $50 rebate on bills and described roughly $225,000,000 in “direct savings” provided in recent months. The governor said the earlier package was expected to save $6,000,000,000 over five years and that the new filing aims to save an additional $10,000,000,000 over time.

Legislative and administrative path

Officials at the event stated the administration is filing the bill with the legislature and expects to work with lawmakers on its provisions. Tepper thanked the legislature for collaboration and described permitting and siting reforms that the administration says are necessary to modernize the grid and allow new generation and infrastructure to be built.

What officials said about protections and who benefits

Tepper argued the bill would protect “regular customers and small businesses” by shifting costs so “the people who are using it most will pay the most,” and by reducing volatility that produces higher winter and summer bills. Governor Healy and Senator John Cronin said veterans, seniors on fixed incomes, and working families are primary intended beneficiaries.

Event participants and comments

Mayor Mazzarella, who hosted the event, thanked the governor and praised state support after recent flooding in the region. Senator John Cronin (state senator for Leominster) and State Representative Natalie Higgins both expressed support for the administration’s affordability focus. Ellen DeGeronimo, who spoke from the audience earlier in the program, thanked officials for pursuing relief for seniors and households on fixed incomes.

Limitations, next steps and unanswered questions

Speakers described the package as a combination of statutory changes and DPU-directed reforms; they did not present final legislative text, and no vote occurred at the event. Officials said savings will depend in part on increased supply, permitting and regional agreements (for example, Canadian hydro). The administration said it will “spark some conversation” with the legislature and stakeholders but did not provide a detailed timeline for enactment or specify the legal mechanisms that will be used to implement each change.

Ending

The administration filed the bill with the legislature on Thursday; its provisions now await committee review and further detail from legislative sponsors and the Department of Public Utilities. Officials at the event asked stakeholders and communities to participate in the coming policy discussions.