Press Release: 2/20/2026

Massachusetts Families Are Paying the Price for Beacon Hill’s Climate Agenda

Massachusetts families are facing some of the highest energy costs in the country and Beacon Hill’s energy agenda is a major reason why.



For years, politicians like Governor Maura Healey have pushed the state’s Net Zero by 2050 climate mandate with no regard for affordability. This policy is not theoretical. It is being implemented right now through regulations that increase what families and businesses pay for electricity and home heating, and will continue to be felt as legally binding, statewide emission limits and sector-specific sublimits must also be met every five years.



One of the costliest proposals tied to the Net Zero policy is a so-called “Clean Heat Standard,” which is essentially a carbon tax on home heating fuels. The policy requires natural gas, oil, and propane suppliers to meet government-set climate quotas for “clean heat services,” such as heat pumps and electrification upgrades. If suppliers cannot meet those quotas, they must purchase “compliance credits,” costs that are ultimately passed directly onto you, the ratepayer. Independent analysis found this new tax could raise home heating bills by $255 to $425 per year for families.



The Clean Heat Standard was scheduled to take effect in January of this year, but after growing public concern over affordability, the Healey administration’s Department of Environmental Protection quietly delayed implementation until 2028. This would push the implementation date beyond the Governor’s reelection. That delay did not happen by accident. MassFiscal has been working hard to expose the real cost of this policy and warn people that it is coming. As energy prices surge, Beacon Hill leaders are beginning to realize these climate mandates are becoming a major political liability.



While the delay is welcome, the policy has not been repealed. It is simply waiting in the wings until after the election. Put plainly, whoever the next Governor is will decide whether to keep this new tax in place or eliminate it.



At the same time, cracks are appearing in the broader Net Zero agenda. Earlier this session, House Energy Chairman Mark Cusack introduced legislation that initially proposed delaying the state’s upcoming 2030 emissions limit mandate and turning it into a goal instead of a rigid requirement. Though he later backed down under pressure from the climate lobby, the significance was clear. Just a few years ago, questioning these mandates was completely off limits. Now even lawmakers are acknowledging that climate policies are driving up energy costs for ratepayers.



MassFiscal has been at the center of that shift. Through our accountability, public advocacy, and social media video reporting, we have forced energy affordability into the spotlight and made it harder for Beacon Hill to ignore the consequences of its climate agenda. Last year alone, our videos were viewed nearly 40 million times. Our advocacy is being seen at the local, state, and national levels and it is being felt at the State House.



But this fight is far from over. As deadlines approach to legally meet these mandates, we know absent a full repeal of the Net Zero law, Beacon Hill will certainly be preparing to revive implementation of the Clean heat Standard once public attention fades, and put a full court press on other expensive and restrictive regulations. Without continued pressure, families could soon face even higher heating and electric bills.



Will you make a contribution today to help us grow our reach and continue pushing back against the out-of-control climate lobby on Beacon Hill?



Whether it is $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more, every dollar goes directly toward educating the public and holding powerful State House leaders accountable. With your support, we will keep producing the content politicians do not want the public to see and continue fighting for a more transparent, affordable, and accountable Massachusetts.



You can make a secure online contribution here: https://massfiscal.org/contribute. If you prefer to mail in a donation, please do so at: Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, 31 State Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA 02109.



Every dollar is needed to counter the power NetZero climate lobby. They may have the foreign energy companies funneling money into their efforts in Massachusetts, but we have you, the ratepayers. Please do not delay, we need your financial support.



When you are done making either an online donation with a credit card, or mailing us a contribution check, please make sure to take our Call to Action to repeal the NetZero climate mandate. Your voice needs to be heard at the State House and there is no better way to be heard than by sending an email to the Governor and your lawmakers. Please complete our Call to Action here: https://www.votervoice.net/MASSFISCAL/Campaigns/123074/Respond.



Make sure to forward this email to your network, post the Call to Action link to your social media pages. This is how the ratepayers are heard!



Thank you for standing with us and for helping to keep the pressure on. Let the ratepayer revolution begin!