Gov. Maura Healey files Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act to lower utility bills

LEOMINSTER, Mass. — Gov. Maura Healey on Saturday filed the Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act, a package her administration says will remove charges from customer bills, expand a moderate‑income discount to gas customers and pursue new regional energy supplies to lower costs for families and businesses.

The proposal, announced at the Veterans Center in Leominster, is the latest step in an administration effort Healey said will deliver more than $10 billion in savings over time and about $100 million in the first year. “Weare not about kicking the can down the road,” Healey said, arguing the bill will create “more accountability for our utilities” and ensure ratepayer dollars are used efficiently.

The measure would direct reforms the Healey administration says will phase out some customer charges, reform how programs such as Mass Save are financed, change net‑metering rules and give state officials more flexible procurement authority to bring additional energy into Massachusetts and the region. Rebecca Tepper, secretary of energy and environmental affairs, told the audience the bill would also ask the Department of Public Utilities to limit…