Ceres welcomes strengthened Massachusetts energy affordability bill, urges restoration of critical efficiency funding

BOSTON, MA—Ceres applauds Massachusetts House lawmakers for passing strengthened legislation designed to lower electricity costs for residents and businesses and urges further negotiations to ensure the state’s nation-leading energy efficiency program Mass Save is fully funded in the final package.  

The legislation — known as An Act Relative to Energy Affordability, Clean Power and Economic Competitiveness (H.5151) — includes new approaches to manage electricity load and enhance the electric grid with solar and other distributed energy resources, accelerate the process for getting new clean power online, and give the state more flexibility in purchasing energy, all while advancing forms of energy generation such as thermal energy networks.  

“Energy policy is economic policy. By prioritizing practical, business-friendly solutions to modernize the electric grid and accelerate the build out of clean energy, this legislation will help Massachusetts tackle affordability challenges and keep our economy competitive,” said Rishi Reddi, senior advisor, Northeast state policy, Ceres. “Unfortunately, the billion-dollar cut to Mass Save could jeopardize the bill’s affordability goals and risk limiting access to cost-saving products and upgrades for businesses and residents. We urge lawmakers to reach a long-term funding solution to maintain this vital program — the foundation of the Commonwealth’s energy affordability strategy — and ensure customers can benefit from energy and bill savings for years to come.”  

Mass Save has a long-standing track record of helping residents and businesses lower energy costs through efficiency upgrades. In 2024 alone, the program supported more than 55,000 homes, and investments made between 2016 and 2024 helped ratepayers avoid an estimated $16.1 billion in utility costs. 

Before a House floor vote on the bill yesterday, Massachusetts Rep. Joan Meschino proposed an amendment to establish the Massachusetts Climate Bank, another program that would play a vital role in addressing the Commonwealth’s affordability challenges by fostering financial innovation to invest in climate mitigation and resilience projects and accelerate the deployment of clean energy. As the bill advances to the Senate, Ceres urges lawmakers to include the climate bank provision in the final bill to drive long-term impacts by channeling low-cost capital to businesses and households—empowering them to take dependable action and helping them to manage energy bills over time.   

In testimony submitted in November, Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber called on lawmakers to advance the Climate Bank bill.  

“Private capital is one of the last largely untapped financial resources in Massachusetts for funding the transition to a cleaner energy economy and building resilience,” Lubber wrote in her written testimony. “The Climate Bank would leverage public and private investments to provide low-interest loans, credit enhancements, and other financial products. Homeowners, small businesses, and other beneficiaries across Massachusetts could use this innovative financing to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and facilitate climate resilience across the state.”  

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About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and resilient economy. With data-driven research and expert analysis, we inspire investors and companies to act on the world's sustainability challenges and advocate for market and policy solutions. Together, our efforts transform industries, unlock new business opportunities, and foster innovation and job growth – proving that sustainability is the bottom line. For more information, visit ceres.org.