The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee seems to be close to advancing the controversial energy House Bill 4744. This would keep Massachusetts dependent on fossil fuels by cutting Mass Save’s budget, subsidizing gas equipment, and opening the door to putting the cost of new gas pipelines on the backs of electricity ratepayers.

Steps to Take Action

1. Find your State Representatives number here.

2. Call their number. A staff person will answer (don't worry, they are friendly) or you'll be directed to a voicemail box. Either way, you can use this script:

   Hello, I’m [your name]. I live in [town], and I am calling to ask you to push to ensure that the House’s energy is focused on reducing energy costs by going after utility overspending and predatory third-party electric suppliers, not the state’s clean energy programs.  

3. Follow up with an email. You can use the same script as above.

4. Share this information with three friends and urge them to do the same.

Background

House Bill 4744 would shred the state’s climate goals and fail to meaningfully reduce energy bills because it doesn’t go after the main drivers of high energy bills, like utility overspending and our overdependence on natural gas. 

The good news is that public pushback caused the bill to pause in House Ways and Means while it underwent changes (messaging your lawmaker works). We don’t know much about what changes House Ways and Means has introduced, but we do know that the only way we can ensure we get an energy bill that works for regular people and not the utilities is by having lawmakers hear from their constituents.  

Fossil fuel companies and utilities are hard at work in the State House. Only by regular folks making our voices heard do we have a shot at beating them.