After years of skyrocketing energy bills, Massachusetts Senate leaders unveiled a plan that they said would save consumers an estimated $14 billion. The proposal — called “An Act to save people money, repair the climate and grow the economy” — promises to cut monthly electric and gas bills by eliminating extra fees and seeking to control volatile price spikes. It’s an issue WCVB has been reporting on for more than a year after sky-high natural gas bills sparked an outcry and calls for legislative action. The bill does not slash one of the state programs blamed for hiking bills, but it does propose significant changes. The state’s Mass Save program provides incentives for ratepayers to switch to more energy-efficient technology, but the program has grown exponentially over the last few years, reaching $4.5 billion over its current three-year plan. Last year, the Department of Public Utilities trimmed Mass Save by 10% in an effort to bring down consumer costs. The program is paid for by both gas and electric customers. The Senate plan looks to streamline Mass Save by bringing in a new oversight board to scrutinize the organization and works to cap payments made to the utility companies for administering the program. It does not make further cuts to Mass Save — unlike a House bill that would slash the program by an additional $1 billion. “Energy efficiency is about heling you cut costs on next year’s bill. A little investment in the future really pays off,” said Sen. Michael Barrett, D-Lexington, and Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “If Mass Save is saving people money, then I don’t care if it’s unpopular today. You make your case.”The Senate bill does, however, take direct aim at another state program that has been driving costs higher for consumers. The Gas System Enhancement Plan — or GSEP — encourages gas companies to replace the most leak-prone pipes on an accelerated timetable.To speed up this work, gas companies are allowed to recover the money they spend in their rates right away. Spending on GSEP hit $901 million in 2025, up 300% in 10 years. Forecast spending is down slightly in 2026 due to pressure at DPU to trim costs.The Senate bill would phase out GSEP entirely — forcing the utilities to only focus on leak-prone infrastructure instead of paying for the removal of all old pipes. That’s a key difference from the House plan, which leaves GSEP untouched. Critics say the program isn’t fair to gas customers as it forces them to pay for the reconstruction of the state’s gas network while also subsidizing the switch to electric heat under Mass Save. “We started off with good intentions. Make sure that pipes don’t blow people up,” said Barrett. “Instead, it’s become a loophole. Minor routine construction is now being routed through GSEP.”Dorie Seavey, a research scientist with the Future of Heat Initiative, said it’s long past time to rethink pipe replacement programs. “The gas industry argues that GSEP is all about safety,” Seavey said. “The most cost-effective way that brings the biggest benefits in terms of risk reduction is not always pipeline replacement.”Responding to the proposed elimination of GSEP, Eversource said in part: “ Slowing the pace of this critically needed infrastructure work would be fully counterproductive – delaying emissions reductions, increasing risk to public safety, and ultimately leading to greater rate volatility for customers as we are forced to bring full rate reviews before the DPU more frequently. ”National Grid released a similar statement: “…Without that continued investment, we risk undermining the safety and reliability customers depend on. We will continue to engage with policymakers on thoughtful, practical solutions that help manage costs for customers over the long term.”The Senate plan also provides incentives for clean energy solutions while adjusting climate change targets in light of current pushback from the Trump administration, reducing the requirement for utilities to increase their clean energy purchases to 1% yearly.The bill is slated for debate by the full Senate on Wednesday, July 1. The House bill has been in the Ways and Means Committee’s hands since March. Gov. Maura Healey has proposed her own energy bill that is also before the legislature.
After years of skyrocketing energy bills, Massachusetts Senate leaders unveiled a plan that they said would save consumers an estimated $14 billion.
The proposal — called “An Act to save people money, repair the climate and grow the economy” — promises to cut monthly electric and gas bills by eliminating extra fees and seeking to control volatile price spikes.
It’s an issue WCVB has been reporting on for more than a year after sky-high natural gas bills sparked an outcry and calls for legislative action.
The bill does not slash one of the state programs blamed for hiking bills, but it does propose significant changes. The state’s Mass Save program provides incentives for ratepayers to switch to more energy-efficient technology, but the program has grown exponentially over the last few years, reaching $4.5 billion over its current three-year plan. Last year, the Department of Public Utilities trimmed Mass Save by 10% in an effort to bring down consumer costs. The program is paid for by both gas and electric customers.
The Senate plan looks to streamline Mass Save by bringing in a new oversight board to scrutinize the organization and works to cap payments made to the utility companies for administering the program. It does not make further cuts to Mass Save — unlike a House bill that would slash the program by an additional $1 billion.
“Energy efficiency is about heling you cut costs on next year’s bill. A little investment in the future really pays off,” said Sen. Michael Barrett, D-Lexington, and Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “If Mass Save is saving people money, then I don’t care if it’s unpopular today. You make your case.”
The Senate bill does, however, take direct aim at another state program that has been driving costs higher for consumers. The Gas System Enhancement Plan — or GSEP — encourages gas companies to replace the most leak-prone pipes on an accelerated timetable.
To speed up this work, gas companies are allowed to recover the money they spend in their rates right away. Spending on GSEP hit $901 million in 2025, up 300% in 10 years. Forecast spending is down slightly in 2026 due to pressure at DPU to trim costs.
The Senate bill would phase out GSEP entirely — forcing the utilities to only focus on leak-prone infrastructure instead of paying for the removal of all old pipes. That’s a key difference from the House plan, which leaves GSEP untouched. Critics say the program isn’t fair to gas customers as it forces them to pay for the reconstruction of the state’s gas network while also subsidizing the switch to electric heat under Mass Save.
“We started off with good intentions. Make sure that pipes don’t blow people up,” said Barrett. “Instead, it’s become a loophole. Minor routine construction is now being routed through GSEP.”
Dorie Seavey, a research scientist with the Future of Heat Initiative, said it’s long past time to rethink pipe replacement programs.
“The gas industry argues that GSEP is all about safety,” Seavey said. “The most cost-effective way that brings the biggest benefits in terms of risk reduction is not always pipeline replacement.”
Responding to the proposed elimination of GSEP, Eversource said in part:
“ Slowing the pace of this critically needed infrastructure work would be fully counterproductive – delaying emissions reductions, increasing risk to public safety, and ultimately leading to greater rate volatility for customers as we are forced to bring full rate reviews before the DPU more frequently. ”
National Grid released a similar statement:
“…Without that continued investment, we risk undermining the safety and reliability customers depend on. We will continue to engage with policymakers on thoughtful, practical solutions that help manage costs for customers over the long term.”
The Senate plan also provides incentives for clean energy solutions while adjusting climate change targets in light of current pushback from the Trump administration, reducing the requirement for utilities to increase their clean energy purchases to 1% yearly.
The bill is slated for debate by the full Senate on Wednesday, July 1. The House bill has been in the Ways and Means Committee’s hands since March. Gov. Maura Healey has proposed her own energy bill that is also before the legislature.