Massachusetts announces $50 electric credit, DPU gas cuts and broader energy discounts in Lowell

Governor Maura Healey visited Lowell to announce a state "energy affordability" package that officials say will deliver immediate and longer-term relief to households and businesses facing sharply higher heat and electric bills.

At the event, Healey said the administration had secured a 10% reduction for gas bills issued in March and April and that every electric customer will receive a $50 credit on their April electric bill. "On April, in your electric bill, you will now be getting a credit back of $50," Healey said. She and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper said the administration will pursue further steps including legislation to expand discount rates to middle-income customers, remove certain line-item charges from bills, and smooth monthly billing volatility.

The package combines immediate administrative steps and planned policy changes. Healey said the actions taken so far will return about $220,000,000 to Massachusetts households in the near term and that the administration estimates the combined measures could save residents about $5,800,000,000 over the next five years. "We estimate that these steps taken together will save Massachusetts residents $5,800,000,000 over the next 5 years," Healey said.

Tepper, the secretary of energy and environmental affairs, described an ongoing,…