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July 29, 2026

How Can We Reduce Utility Costs?

Massachusetts has some of the highest energy costs in the nation, driven by gross overspending on methane gas infrastructure. Both the electric and gas systems have profit incentives to invest in expensive capital projects rather than building smarter and repairing prudently. This needs to change. We rely too heavily on natural gas to generate electricity and for heating buildings. We need to speed the transition to geothermal and nieghborhood electrification.

False Promise: Adding more gas capacity does not lower costs. We’ve increased interstate gas transmission capacity by 30% since 2010, but prices have not come down and the cost was passed on to customers. 

2. The Billion-Dollar Pipe Problem:  Utilities are spending billions replacing old and leak-prone gas pipes with brand-new ones instead of doing cheaper, targeted repairs.

  • Skyrocketing Costs: Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP) spending has tripled since 2015, hitting $901 million in 2025 alone.

  • The Tab: Experts estimate this program will cost every customer more than $31,000 over its lifetime.

3. Outdated Profit Models: Right now, state law allows private utility companies to make more profit when they build "stuff" (pipes, poles, wires).

  • Bad Incentives: Utilities are incentivized to choose the most expensive. construction projects because that’s how they make money for shareholders.

  • The Proof: Private utility rates have increased 49% more than inflation, while local, publicly-owned utilities (which don't have these profit motives) saw rates stay below inflation.

4. We need a Cleaner, Cheaper Grid: We don't always need to build expensive new power lines or peaker plants. Less reliance on fossil fuels means more energy independence. We can upgrade the grid and lower costs by using:

  • Virtual Power Plants: Using distributed energy resources during peak times.

  • Enhancement: Upgrading wires and software to increase capacity and efficiency. 

  • Renewables: Prices increase slower in states with more renewable energy.

 

The Takeaway: To lower bills, we must stop the "blank check" for energy infrastructure, reform how utilities make a profit, and build a smarter grid.

Real Solutions for Energy Affordability

Energy Affordability Policy Priorities for MA Energy Package 

*Legislation and fact sheets about the Mass Power Forward policies below can be found here: tinyurl.com/MPFHousePriorities

1. Stop Overspending on Gas Infrastructure which is Costing Ratepayers Billions of Dollars

We must shift away from billion-dollar construction projects to stop the hikes in monthly delivery fees.

  • Stop new intrastate gas pipeline expansion within 5 miles of Environmental Justice Communities and make a just transition for gas workers.

  • Stop utility companies from lobbying and advertising with ratepayer funds. 

  • Cut GSEP (Gas System Enhancement Plan) spending on costly pipe replacement and move toward phasing out the program entirely. Afterall, this is infrastructure we are not planning to use in the next 25 years. The House voted to Cut Mass Save by a Billion Dollars.

Mass Save is a great deal—returning over $3 in benefits for every $1 spent. Yet the House voted to make deep cuts in the porgram. This included my opponent. I never would have cut Mass Save. It saves us money!

Everyone saves when energy use goes down because the utilities need less new infrastructure. There are ways we can strengthen the program to serve renters and middle-income families to help lower their energy bills.

  • Maintain the new Environmental Justice and affordability commitments in the Mass Save 2025-2027 plan, like the low/middle income and tenant protections. 

  • Make a Zero Carbon Assessment the default audit, incorporating solar/ storage/ load management recommendations.

  • Create a new incentive package for tenants so they can own portable solar, window heat pumps, and access community solar.

3. Lower Rates with Renewables 

Relying on out-of-state fossil fuels makes our utility bills unpredictable; for example, natural gas prices recently jumped 83%. The solution is to build more solar and wind power. These sources don't have "fuel costs," which stabilizes the market and permanently drives down the wholesale prices that make up the bulk of electricity bills.

  • Keep our climate commitments.

  • Eliminate municipal caps on solar development and simplify permitting to allow municipalities to build and provide low cost solar to residents. 

  • Site clean energy facilities responsibly, protecting wild lands.