Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 21, 2026 DiDomenico votes to save ratepayers money on energy costs New law would lower monthly bills, rein in utility overspending and preserve clean energy progress I n July, Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate passed energy affordability legislation that is projected to deliver billions in savings to ratepayers across the Commonwealth while keeping Massachusetts on track to meet its climate goals. The bill, S.3143, An Act to save people money, repair the climate and grow the economy, tackles rising energy costs head-on by cutting unnecessary fees, evening out price spikes that hit households during high-demand months, cracking down on predatory sales practices by energy suppliers and steering the state away from expensive infrastructure projects that don’t deliver value for ratepayers. “Energy bills have been too high in recent years and for people across my district, especially those with lower income, this can force impossible decisions on people like paying for the heat or paying for groceries. I am thrilled to move this legislation forward that will bring down energy costs and accelerate our state’s transition to renewable energy with less pollution,” said Senator DiDomenico. “There has been a false narrative that we can either lower ratepayer bills or advance clean energy, when the reality has always been that you need one to do the other. This bill does exactly that, by marrying efficiency programs and clean energy development with customer protections and cutting red tape, we are continuing our state’s climate commitments and ensuring electricity and heat is affordable for everyone.” The bill, having been passed by both the Senate and House, will now go through a reconciliation process. On July 16, 2026, the Legislature appointed a conference committee to resolve the two versions of the bill. It will then be placed before the Governor for signature and/or other response. The legislation targets the biggest cost drivers that Massachusetts residents face on their monthly bills, including fees, surcharges and rate adjustments. Following is a summary of estimated savings for residents. • Cutting out the intermediJ& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. ary on energy purchasing — up to $420 million (M) 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. • Evening out seasonal price spikes — $780M 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 in order to create savings. ● Reviewing hidden charges that spike during peak months — $750M 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, to create savings. • Investigating markups on electric bills — up to $1 billion in savings. A state investigation will examine whether customers have been overS LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping cost, making up an estimated eight to 11 per cent of a typical gas bill, while allowing companies to skip standard cost reviews. The bill narrows the program to focus only on pipes that actually need repair, phases it out by 2030 and restores normal oversight, creating savings. • Making solar and clean Sal DiDomenico State Senator charged when utilities didn’t actively shop for the best electricity rates. Between 2015 and 2024, Massachusetts customers might 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. • Cracking down on predatory energy suppliers — more than $650M in savings. Socalled “competitive” energy suppliers have used aggressive sales tactics to lure customers in with low introductory rates only to sharply raise prices later. Over the past decade, customers who switched to these suppliers paid an estimated $738.7M more than if they’d simply stayed with their regular utility. The bill strengthens consumer protections and enforcement, to create savings. ● 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 on those costs to residents. This alone could save ratepayers up to $7.1 billion over 10 years. • Streamlining the gas pipe repair program — $1.46 billion in savings. The Gas System Enhancement Plan, a program meant to incentivize utilities to fix aging, leak-prone gas pipes, has ballooned in energy more affordable up front — $540M 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 $540M 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 creating savings. • Strengthening the Mass Save program: The legislation strengthens this 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 Massachusetts’ 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.
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