14-05-2025
Gov. announces new initiative to lower utility bills
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll administration announced another initiative to lower the cost of energy in Massachusetts, this one boasting at least $10 billion in savings over the next decade.
The plan, dubbed the Energy Affordability, Independence & Innovation Act, looks to lower costs by taking charges off your bills, expanding moderate income discounts, and bringing more energy supply into Massachusetts.
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'I believe that this legislation is going to give us the tools that we need to create more accountability for our utilities and maximize every single ratepayer dollar,' Governor Healey said.
This announcement comes after a winter of uniquely high utility bill prices, particularly in western and central Massachusetts, which resulted in $50 rebates to eligible families and calls for utility companies to implement serious changes.
'I think everybody recognized what a difficult winter we had all had and how much people were hurting having to pay their large electric and gas bills,' said Energy Secretary Rebecca Tepper.
The new legislation will be building on previously-announced efforts to cut an additional $6 billion from utility bills, but some groups, like the Mass Fiscal Alliance, say issuing further reforms is akin to admitting that prior attempts at driving down prices actually raised them.
Also with this legislation, the state will be looking at small-scale nuclear technology to create more energy for the Bay State for the first time.
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