Two recent energy decisions by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey have drawn attention. She wants to lower residents' utility costs by using money usually reserved for clean energy projects, and she supports a $300 million gas pipeline expansion that environmental advocates view as a major setback.
Here's what to know
In 2025 and 2024, Healey's administration used $305 million from alternative compliance payments to reduce electric bills. In October, after declaring an "energy emergency," she said the state would draw on that same fee from utility bills — money that generally supports local and state clean energy efforts — to cut heating bills by at least $129 million, The Boston Globe reported.
In another October move, Healey asked the Trump administration to speed up its review of the Algonquin gas pipeline project in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. That stance contrasts with her earlier opposition to gas pipelines as attorney general, though she said during the Oct. 15 debate, "I support clean energy, but it doesn't mean that we stop what we're doing with gas."
Republican challenger Michael Minogue is campaigning on expanding gas supply and scaling back climate action goals. Electricity costs in Massachusetts rose more than 20% over three years, nearly doubling the national average, according to a 2025 U.S. Chamber of Commerce analysis cited by the Globe.
More background
Massachusetts remains heavily reliant on non-renewable energy sources. In 2025, over half of New England's energy came from natural gas, while renewables accounted for about 13% of the state's usage, according to the Globe.
The Healey administration has advanced offshore wind projects, clean-grid modernization, climate-friendly building incentives, and a 2024 law meant to speed up clean energy siting and permitting as Massachusetts works toward zero emissions by 2050.
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The administration pushed back minimum requirements for new electric vehicle sales and delayed the state's clean heat standard until 2028 amid concerns that the change could raise costs for residents, the Globe reported.
Short-term bill relief may help residents manage winter heating costs, but leaning further into gas risks prolonging dependence on the same volatile fuels that have made energy affordability such a painful issue.
What's being done?
Advocates have credited the administration with naming Massachusetts' first climate chief, helping bring Canadian hydropower into the region, advancing offshore wind, and supporting the state's 2024 clean energy law.
It has also maintained that clean energy investments from alternative compliance payments "remain an important part of the administration's long-term energy strategy," even after the administration diverted some of that money to customer bill relief, the Globe reported.
Catherine Wolfram, an MIT energy economics professor and former Biden administration official, said more gas capacity could help address winter shortages, while redirected funds may provide immediate help to consumers. "Clean energy will help us break the dependence on these volatile fossil fuels, but it's going to take a while for clean energy projects to get built and for relief to show up," she told the Globe.
Vick Mohanka, who leads the Sierra Club's Massachusetts chapter, said of Healey: "When she came into office, she saw things the way we did — that it's an investment in an outdated and polluting, dirty system that's also expensive. And now she's asking for more pipelines."
Where can I learn more?
Massachusetts' debate over energy affordability also touches on utility oversight and gas infrastructure.
• Eversource allies' donations preceded Healey's request to fast-track the pipeline review.
• Healey said enough is enough as Massachusetts targets utility profits driving high bills.
• Lawmakers advanced two plans to cut energy bills as Healey demanded ratepayer benefits.
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