Press Release: 2/26/2026

Mass. House Committee Releases Energy Affordability Bill

 

Revised legislation includes ruinous attack on energy efficiency program

FEBRUARY 24, 2026

This is overall a better version of the affordability bill, but it includes a ruinous attack on the Mass Save program and doesn’t make any attempt to rein in gas system costs. 

 

February 24, 2026 (Boston, MA) – The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee has released its version of an energy affordability bill. While it preserves the state’s pollution reduction targets, it drastically cuts the state’s energy efficiency program by $1 billion. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.  

“This is overall a better version of the affordability bill, but it includes a ruinous attack on the Mass Save program and doesn’t make any attempt to rein in gas system costs,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President for Climate and Energy at CLF. “In a time when the federal government is doing all it can to bow down to expensive, price-volatile fossil fuels, we need state leaders to have the courage to lead. The reality is that clean energy is affordable energy. We have to go all in on building clean energy and leveraging energy efficiency – that’s what families and businesses are asking of our legislature.” 

For every one dollar spent on Mass Save, residents receive $2.69 back in benefits, according to the Acadia Center. The program improves energy efficiency and allows residents to save on certain appliances and insulate their homes, leading to lower overall energy costs. 

Now, the Committee’s version of the bill will go to the full House for amendments and a vote. The Senate is also expected to draft their own version of the bill.  

CLF will be active in the process to ensure Massachusetts doesn’t walk away from its duty to bring clean energy online and cut expensive, dangerous planet-warming emissions. 

CLF experts are available for further comment.