(BOSTON–7/2/2026) Today, Senator Feeney voted to pass energy affordability legislation that is projected to deliver savings to ratepayers across the Commonwealth. 

The bill, S.3143, An Act to save people money, repair the climate, and grow the economy, tackles rising energy costs by cutting unnecessary fees, evening out price spikes that hit households during high-demand months and cracking down on predatory sales practices by energy suppliers.  

The legislation represents one of the most comprehensive energy affordability packages considered by the Legislature in recent years, pairing immediate consumer relief with long-term reforms to the Commonwealth's energy system. Among its provisions, the bill strengthens oversight of energy markets, expands consumer protections against deceptive practices and invests in a more reliable and resilient electric grid—all while maintaining Massachusetts' commitment to its clean energy and climate goals. 

While the legislation focuses primarily on lowering energy costs, it also strengthens protections for the workers and companies that power the Commonwealth's energy infrastructure. The bill includes updated guidance on workforce training and protections, including new policy championed by Senator Feeney to ensure the “just transition” of workers impacted by the changing energy landscape and other labor standards. 

The new provision, based on legislation filed by Senator Feeney over multiple legislative sessions (S.2276, An Act promoting a just transition and clean energy workforce standards), reflects years of collaboration with labor leaders and impacted workers to ensure employees are not left behind as the energy sector evolves. Under the legislation, gas companies are required to submit a Just Transition Plan as part of their climate compliance filings. These plans must outline how companies will address workforce impacts resulting from decarbonization, technological change, and other economic or policy shifts. Updated every two years, the plans must identify anticipated workforce attrition, available training opportunities, and pathways to continued employment for workers who may be displaced. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements in gas or alternative-fuel operations must be eligible to participate in these programs. 

"As Massachusetts rightfully continues to address the climate crisis and transition to a cleaner energy future, we have an obligation to ensure working people aren't left behind, displaced, or unemployed in the process,” said Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough). “This provision addresses a critical missing piece of our climate strategy by requiring thoughtful workforce planning and helping ensure Massachusetts has the infrastructure and training needed to create family-supporting jobs that meet fair labor standards and transition our existing energy workforce with dignity. Massachusetts can—and should—continue leading on our climate goals while protecting and growing our middle class. Simply put, we have failed in our climate goals if Massachusetts workers are breathing cleaner air from the unemployment line." 

In another step taken to protect the legislation establishes labor procurement standards by requiring bidders to demonstrate compliance with labor laws, apprenticeship participation, workforce development, and safety standards. This will help ensure that companies competing for state-supported clean energy projects meet strong labor, workforce, and compliance benchmarks.  

To prevent wage theft and maintain a high standard for companies seeking public contract, the bill strengthens the state’s enforcement tools to ensure prevailing wage compliance. These protections are extended to workers engaged in clean thermal energy-related utility construction work, helping guarantee fair wages and consistent labor standards throughout the clean energy transition.  

“We want to thank Senator Feeney for his leadership and the entire Senate for including labor provisions in this key energy bill,” said Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and Chair of Climate Jobs Massachusetts. “Standards in this bill—from requiring the prevailing wage on utility-built thermal energy networks to labor disclosure requirements for bidders of large clean energy solicitations—will go a long way toward protecting and growing the middle class as the Commonwealth invests in a clean energy future. We look forward to continuing to work with all of our partners to ensure the strongest possible labor standards as we build a cleaner tomorrow with union jobs and justice for all workers.” 

S.3143 targets the biggest cost drivers that Massachusetts residents face on their monthly bills, including fees, surcharges, and rate adjustments.  

Additional highlights of the bill: 

Cutting Out the Intermediary on Energy Purchasing — Up to $420 Million in Savings 

Right now, utility companies act as intermediaries when Massachusetts buys clean energy, and they collect a fee for that role. This bill lets the state negotiate those contracts directly, cutting out the fee and saving ratepayers up to $420 million. 

Evening Out Seasonal Price Spikes — $780 Million in Savings 

Energy prices for customers on basic service contracts are currently locked in every six months, which can cause sudden jumps in what residents pay. The bill gives regulators more flexibility in how and when prices are set, which is expected to save ratepayers $780 million.  

Reviewing Hidden Charges That Spike During Peak Months — $750 Million in Savings 

Bills often include separate ‘reconciling charges’ that aren't reviewed consistently. The bill requires regulators to reform these charges, particularly ones that spike during high-demand months, which will save residents an estimated $750 million. 

Investigating Markups on Electric Bills — Up to $1 Billion in Savings 

A new state investigation will examine whether customers have been overcharged when utilities didn’t actively shop for the best electricity rates. Between 2015 and 2024, Massachusetts customers may have paid an estimated $3.4 billion more than necessary. This investigation could lead to savings of up to $1 billion, or roughly $12 a month for a typical household. 

Helping Utilities Pay Down Debt Without Passing It to Customers — Up to $7.1 Billion in Savings 

The bill allows utility companies to finance certain costs, like those from storm recovery and grid upgrades, at lower interest rates instead of borrowing at higher costs and passing those costs on to residents. This alone could save ratepayers up to $7.1 billion over 10 years. 

Making Solar and Clean Energy More Affordable Up Front — $540 Million in Savings 

For homeowners who want to install solar panels or battery storage but can’t afford the upfront cost, the bill creates a way to finance that equipment through their utility bill over time. By doing so, it potentially saves consumers $540 million as more households take advantage of it. 

Cutting Red Tape in Energy Planning — $1.7 Billion in Savings 

Utility companies currently plan infrastructure projects through multiple, disconnected approval processes, which can overwhelm regulators and often lead to duplicated or unnecessary spending. The bill requires a single, streamlined planning process, helping avoid wasteful projects and saving residents an estimated $1.7 billion. 

Strengthening the Mass Save Program 

The legislation strengthens the Mass Save program, which helps residents weatherize homes and upgrade to energy-efficient equipment, by making it more accountable and effective. The bill caps the program’s administrative spending, removes a requirement that utility companies automatically receive bonus payments, and creates a new oversight board to keep the program focused on results. 

Protecting Massachusetts’ Climate Leadership 

The bill preserves the state’s commitment to clean energy by adjusting the pace of certain renewable energy purchasing requirements to reflect federal setbacks to offshore wind, supporting renewable natural gas made from food and organic waste, and allowing outside investment in upgrading the electric grid to handle growing demand. 

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet and bill text. 

Having passed both chambers of the Legislature, the bill will now go through a reconciliation process to resolve differences before a final version is sent to the Governor. 

Statements of Support 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell 

“As Massachusetts ratepayers continue to confront high utility costs, I appreciate the Senate’s leadership advancing this important legislation. This bill will meaningfully protect consumers who have been harmed by the predatory competitive electric supply industry, enhance utility company accountability, and rein in gas system costs. Thank you to Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, Chair Barrett, Senator Comerford, Senator Crighton, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their work to advance these priorities. I am grateful for the leadership of our Senate and House partners and look forward to working with them on final passage of this legislation.” 

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