Policy Priorities For MA Senate Energy Package May ‘26

Easy version of this here.

With the Trump administration denying climate change, we rely on our state leaders to protect families, workers and the planet by creating more affordability with more energy efficiency and more clean, renewable energy. The House moved in November on creating an energy affordability package, but paused because the Costly Climate-Rollback Bill (H.4744) took us in the wrong direction (see here and here for details on that). February’s House Energy Bill (H.5175) was a step in the right direction, but included a devastating $1 billion cut to Mass Save and further cuts to the Alternative Compliance Payments that drive our clean energy and affordable housing decarbonization programs. Now, we need to move beyond stopping legislation to passing truly transformative policies that build a clean, affordable future.  We have three themes we ask you, legislators, to include, with policy lists and resources in further pages.

1. Put People Over Energy Profits - We must stop the expansion of the costly gas system and rein in utility greed. After a year of skyrocketing gas and electric bills for MA families and businesses, Eversource reported HUGE profits that more than doubled from 2024 to 2025. They continue building out an expensive system we don’t need or want. In 2023 alone, utility spending on expanding the gas system cost MA ratepayers an estimated $1.5 billion. Natural Gas prices keep rising, and the Energy Information Administration expects them to almost double between 2024 and 2026. Additionally, also increasing our bills is unnecessary spending on the Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP), the program gas companies use to put new pipes in the ground to expand their gas system. This program must be phased out.

2. Strengthen Mass Save - The best energy is the one you don’t use. Now is the time to ramp up energy efficiency and get off gas with electrification. Mass Save is currently delivering $3.51 in benefits for every dollar invested.  While those benefits have historically not been equitably distributed, the most recent Mass Save Three Year Plan includes the strongest equity commitment yet for Low to Moderate income households and renters. We must maintain that progress.

3. Expand Clean, Affordable Energy while Protecting Forests - All forms of clean energy - solar, wind, efficiency - drive down energy costs. With those resources, we are freeing ourselves from dependency on fossil fuels which  drive  up wholesale and retail rates.

Other policies needed this session to protect families, workers and the planet.

Put People Over Energy Profits

Policy	Bill Numbers	Resources	Status
Stop new intrastate gas pipeline expansion within 5 miles of Environmental Justice Communities and make a just transition for gas workers	(H.3547/S.2290)	Fact Sheet	S.2290 Reported out favorably; H.3547 sent to study
Stop utility companies from lobbying and advertising with ratepayer funds	(H.3400/S.2239)	Fact Sheet	State Admin Hearing was 7/22/25 S.2239 Reported out favorably; H.3400 sent to study
Cut GSEP spending on costly pipe replacement and move toward phasing out Thu program entirely (see row 1 for just transition for gas workers)	H.3539/S.2249 Section 8		S.2249 Reported out favorably;  H.3539 sent to study
Stop 3rd Party Suppliers from ripping off vulnerable communities	Original Bill has best language (H.3534/S.2255) (Similar: Healey’s Bill H.4144, Sections 21&15)	Website	Language in current House Energy bill is supported by the coalition
Don’t make electric ratepayers fund new gas pipelines (pipeline tax)	Costly Climate- Rollback Bill (H.4744) would do this	SJC 2016 Decision	The MA SJC ruled against it in 2016. We opposed this in H.4744 and we are glad its not in H.5175
Don’t make all gas ratepayers pay for new gas line extensions	Needs to be backed by legislation		At the DPU in Climate Compliance Plan proceedings
Protect residents from the environmental and financial impacts of data centers, particularly rate and tax increases from utility infrastructure build out	Include language based on Amendment #6 in the House bill Data Center Distribution Buildout Green Energy Mandate and Tariff	2.6 AI/Data Center Webinar Slides - Google Slides	Passed the Senate, House has opportunity to include enhanced language

Strengthen Mass Save 

Policy	Bill Numbers	Resources	Status
Stop the Mass Save and Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) Cuts	House Energy Bill (H.5175) would cut		We support protecting the Mass Save budget and use of ACP funds for affordable housing decarbonization and innovation.
Maintain the new Environmental Justice and affordability commitments in the Mass Save 2025-2027 plan, like the low/middle income and tenant protections	Costly Climate- Rollback Bill (H.4744) would cut Good version in Healey’s Bill H.4144	Mass Save 3 Year Plan	We oppose repealing these commitments.
Replace the standard Mass Save household audit with a Zero Carbon Assessment, including incorporating solar/ storage/ recommendations	(H.3565/S.2247)	Fact Sheet	Senate version reported out favorably; House sent to study
A new Mass Save incentive package for tenants built around new tech such as portable solar, window heat pumps, and community solar

Expand Clean, Affordable Energy while Protecting Forests - 

Policy	Bill Numbers	Resources	Status
Eliminate municipal caps on solar development and require simple, online permitting for solar and battery storage, allowing municipalities to build their own and provide low cost solar to residents	S.2269	Fact Sheet	Reported out favorably, as accompanied draft of S.2780
All clean energy facilities must be environmentally responsibly sited, including protecting wild lands that create the best watersheds.		MPF Siting Vision Statement
No toxic biomass! End MLP (Municipal Light Plant) subsidies for biomass.	H.3549/S.2288	Website	Senate Reported out favorably; accompanied H.4744
Keep our 1982 democratic protections from new nuclear power	Costly Climate- Rollback Bill (H.4744) Section 80, still in House Energy Bill (H.5175) Healey’s Bill H.4144, Section 45	Letter	We oppose repealing these protections.
Increase access to clean energy to reduce energy supply costs for utilities and all ratepayers by accelerating connection of distributed energy resources to bring more lower cost clean energy on-line	Healey’s Bill H.4144, Section 159

Additional Important Priorities- In addition to caring about energy affordability, families and workers also need clean air and a resilient climate. Massachusetts residents face increased health costs due to pollution and rely on the government to recover from the devastating effects of climate change.

Policy	Bill Numbers	Resources	Status
Bring Clean Air to Our Communities
Set ambitious outdoor air pollution reduction targets, as well as identify the areas hit worst by dirty air	H.2369/S.1548	Fact Sheet	Both outdoor bills have been reported favorably from their  Committees on Public Health to their respective Ways and Means Committees.
Improve indoor air quality and mold contamination with a focus on high risk buildings like schools, childcare centers, nursing homes, and public housing	H.2427/S.1546		Both indoor bills have been reported favorably from their Committees on Public Health to their respective Ways and Means Committee.
Make Polluters Pay
Make the biggest oil and gas companies pay for climate damages, not taxpayers. Would generate over $25 billion of revenue over 25 years for climate adaptation	H.1014/S.588	Fact Sheet, Website	While the Bill has been sent to study in both chambers, current funding plans for climate resilience are deeply inadequate.

Additional policies in the Healey’s Bill that support energy affordability

Please reach out to a member of the planning team or MPF co-facilitators Claire Karl Müller (claire@uumassaction.org) or Dan Zackin (dan@betterfutureproject.org) with any questions.