By Bob Katzen

Senate 32-8, approved legislation that supporters said would save people money; repair the climate; grow the economy; tackle rising energy costs head-on by cutting unnecessary fees; even out price spikes that hit households during high-demand months; crack down on predatory sales practices by energy suppliers and steer the state away from expensive infrastructure projects that don’t deliver value for ratepayers.

“The cost of energy in Massachusetts has placed a real strain on family budgets,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation reflects the Senate’s commitment to addressing that strain in a serious and sustained way while continuing our deeply held commitment to lead on our climate goals.”

“With the passage of this comprehensive energy affordability bill, the Senate acted decisively today, laying the foundation for affordable and renewable energy for generations to come,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “Homeowners, renters and small businesses across my district consistently cite expensive energy costs as one of the single biggest issues they face, and this legislation levels the playing field and provides a pathway to a more affordable future for consumers of the commonwealth. This bill will drive down monthly utility bills and flatten out sudden price spikes, and our proposal will lead to long-term savings that will be felt by residents across the commonwealth.”

“Baystaters want to power their lives without polluting our air and water, harming our health, changing our climate or emptying our wallet,” said MASSPIRG’s Legislative Director Deirdre Cummings. “This bill will help them do that. By removing costly and cumbersome red tape, this bill makes it easier and quicker for residents to go solar. Alongside new municipal solar options, this means more people will be able to tap the abundant, clean energy of the sun’s golden rays. The bill also prioritizes energy efficiency and adopts common sense consumer protections.”

“The systems run by the gas and electric companies are sprawling and complicated,” said Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), Senate Chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “The Senate sees no greedy masterminds behind the scenes, but we do identify pockets of overspending and overcharging that have accumulated over the years. My colleagues and I want to go after the excesses and save people some serious money.”

Not everyone was on board with the bill.

“This Massachusetts Senate bill asks families and businesses to pay more money for a less reliable electric grid,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “It would dramatically expand offshore wind mandates while shifting the financial risk from developers to ratepayers. The proposal could cost an estimated $20 billion, leading to even higher electric bills at a time when Massachusetts is already one of the most expensive states in the country in which to live and do business. Energy affordability and reliability must be the objective—not increasing costs for hardworking families. My goal is to make Massachusetts more affordable, not less, and this proposal misses the mark.”

“Tonight’s vote is a profound disappointment for the hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts consumers who exercise their right to choose who supplies their electricity,” said Chris Ercoli, president of the Retail Energy Advancement League. “Rather than standing with their constituents, members of the Senate voted today to cede control of the Legislature to local government over a decision that belongs to consumers.”

“While we appreciate the complexity of the issue, we are deeply concerned that the bill the Senate produced is missing an opportunity to make meaningful reforms that lower energy costs – and follow the lead of other climate leaders across the country who have balanced climate innovation with the ability of residents to afford the transition,” said a statement by the Massachusetts Coalition for Sustainable Energy. “Specifically, the bill doubles down on a strategy other states are walking away from that has failed to realize its promise of abundant clean and affordable energy. The members of the coalition are deeply concerned that several sections of this bill increase the cost of energy in Massachusetts.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes