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Struggling with energy bills? Here’s why a $50 credit is headed your way

Updated: Mar. 10, 2025, 12:36 p.m.|Published: Mar. 10, 2025, 12:36 p.m.

John L. Micek | jmicek@masslive.com

Massachusetts utility customers struggling with sky-high energy bills could soon see a small break coming their way in April.

On Monday, the Healey administration announced it was teeing up an immediate $50 credit for Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil electricity customers.

It’s part of a broader energy affordability regime that’s intended to save ratepayers $220 million upfront and $5.8 billion over the next five years. the administration said Monday.

The Democratic administration’s agenda combines executive action with measures that will require legislative authorization.

“I know that’s not a ton of money compared to what people have been paying, but it is something,” Healey said of that $50 credit during a stop in Lowell on Monday morning. “But it is something … and every dollar counts. This is yours to keep. And between gas and electric savings, it means $220 million right now, because of our actions … is going right back into the pockets of Massachusetts residents.”

The administration derived that $220 million total from the $125 million cost of those electric bill credits, coupled with a $95 million savings announced last month by the state Department of Public Utilities as it looked to tame runaway natural gas bills.

The state also will “get more discounts to more people,” Healey said.

Read More: ‘It’s horrible': Meet the Mass. consumers grappling with big utility bills | John L. Micek

“Now, for a long time, folks with a certain income and very low-income folks were able to qualify for a discount — seniors as well," Healey continued. “I want to be the first state to expand that to the middle class, and that’s what we’re doing. Okay? So what you’re going to see is that for the first time, we are going to be able to give a discount rate to folks with middle-class income.”

The administration’s plan calls for state regulators to work with utility companies to improve their discount rate enrollment process for eligible customers. It also calls for Eversource and Unitil to impose a tiered rate for low-income electricity customers.

It’s similar to a discount rate that soon will be offered to eligible National Grid customers, the administration said.

Eversource did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.

State regulators also are working on rate changes that could save the average heat pump customer $1,000 during the winter heating season, Healey’s office said in its statement.

Read More: Mass. regulators approve plan to rein in sky-high utility bills

Also on tap: Plans to address “predatory” competitive suppliers and ways to address charges on customers' bills that underwrite infrastructure improvements.

Hefty “delivery charges” on gas bills, often more than the cost of the gas consumed, that pay for infrastructure repairs, drove customer outrage over gas bills last month.

The administration said it’s also "taking steps to end programs that have achieved their goals and are no longer necessary and remove from bills the associated costs, saving some customers on their monthly electricity bills."

The plan announced Monday also looks to reduce market volatility and boost transparency on energy bills. Healey said her office will "explore innovative rate designs."

"With our Energy Affordability Agenda, we’re getting people help now, keeping costs off bills, and getting ahead of surprise price shocks,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. “ … We need to get out of this cycle of costly swings in prices every winter.”

https://www.masslive.com/politics/2025/03/struggling-with-energy-bills-heres-why-a-50-credit-could-be-headed-your-way.html