By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — In her third State of the Commonwealth address, Gov. Maura Healey is set to announce sweeping, immediate relief on energy costs, ordering sharp cuts to electricity and gas bills for every residential utility customer in Massachusetts this winter.
Healey will say her administration will reduce electric bills by 25 percent and gas bills by 10 percent for February and March 2026, with customers beginning to see the discounted rates on their February bills. The state will cover the $180 million cost of the reductions using existing funding sources.
“I called on the utilities to lower bills this winter, and now relief is on the way. Massachusetts customers will see their February and March electric bills reduced by 25 percent and gas bills reduced by 10 percent,” Healey said. “We also know that long term help is needed. That’s why we’re going to keep working every day to bring more energy into our state, oppose rate hikes and get charges off of bills.”
Healey is also expected to frame the announcement as part of a broader effort to counter rising costs while “continuing to stand up to the damage that President Trump is doing every day,” according to her office.
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said the administration is responding to mounting pressure on household budgets during peak winter months.
“Families cannot support big winter energy bills right now, so we called for more relief,” Tepper said. “Our administration is working to help families make ends meet with $180 million in support, while continuing our advocacy for major reforms. Our energy affordability legislation would deliver lower cost energy in winter months by getting more energy built, getting us a better price, and driving down delivery costs. With energy costs rising nationwide, we’re going to keep calling for strong action in Massachusetts.”
The announcement builds on actions taken last year after energy prices surged. Healey’s administration sent $220 million to consumers through rebates and lower bills and filed legislation aimed at saving consumers $13 billion by allowing utilities to lock in lower energy prices on the open market. She also directed the Department of Public Utilities to explain and justify every charge on utility bills and pledged to eliminate unnecessary fees.
State officials also point to new infrastructure coming online. A transmission line that began operating last week now supplies about 20 percent of Massachusetts’ electricity with hydropower, a move the administration says will lower bills by a combined $50 million annually.
Healey is expected to argue that the immediate bill cuts, paired with long-term energy reforms, are necessary to stabilize costs for residents and businesses as energy prices remain volatile nationwide.