During formal session, the MA House passed H.5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness. House Bill 5151 seeks to alleviate the high costs of residential energy bills in Massachusetts, while keeping Massachusetts’ long-term clean energy goals on track.
H.5151 would:
-Deliver $9 billion in savings for utility ratepayers over the next 10 years;
-Divert environmental compliance payments from electricity suppliers back to residents;
-Expand clean energy procurement authority;
– Repeal restrictions on nuclear development and;
-Delay offshore wind contract deadlines — positioning Massachusetts for further diversification and modernization of its energy grid.
MASS SAVE: As the largest component of the state’s energy program’s budget, House Members appropriately gave particular attention to Mass Save, the energy collaborative that helps Massachusetts make energy efficient upgrades. Since its launch in the late 2000s, Mass Save has grown into the largest energy efficiency program in the United States, with both the total budget and budget per capita exceeding California, New York, and all other states in New England. The House bill proposes a one-time funding reduction of $1 billion from Mass Save’s marketing and administrative budgets, but does not alter any of Mass Save’s programming. The legislation also directs MA’s Inspector General to review Mass Save and recommend cost-effective and energy-efficiency reforms. Even with the cut proposed in H.5151, Mass Save would remain the largest energy efficiency program in the nation.
FORMER DOER COMMISH/FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR LAUDS EFFORTS: State Rep Mark Sylvia, who served as energy undersecretary and DOER commissioner in Governor Deval Patrick’s Administration, gave his inaugural speech on the House floor and said he believed H.5151 is “the right balance between relief to ratepayers and our responsibilities to deliver a reliable, increased clean grid that grows our economy on affordability and transparency. Ultimately, we can insist on affordability and reliability for our ratepayers while still leading the nation in climate policy. We can modernize our grid and protect working families. We can expand renewables and demand transparency. Today is an important step in what should be an ongoing discussion about energy. What happens globally, regionally, across the state and in our districts, impacts how energy is generated, transported and used. Energy is a dynamic and challenging issue, so we must always be prepared to act. H.5151 is one of those moments.”
FOUR SESSIONS OF DELIVERING ON CLIMATE POLICY: H.5151 is the fourth major clean energy and affordability bill the Legislature has passed in the last eight years. We are grateful to Speaker Ron Mariano, HWM Chair Aaron Michlewitz and TUE Committee Chair State Rep. Mark Cusack and Vice Chair State Representative Mike Kushmerek for their hard work in establishing Massachusetts as a leader in climate and clean energy policy.
