Readers of our blog know that we are actively engaged in lobbying for a pro-consumer, pro-environment energy bill this legislative session in Massachusetts. We reported on the House’s version back in February. The State Senate has been working on the bill since then. Here’s a very brief update with an appeal for you to contact your senator.
Smart thermostat technology has existed since the early 2000s and is one of the most universally recognized smart technologies on the market. A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that allows you to control your home’s central heating and cooling virtually through an app. They use sensors and data to track your usage patterns and learn about your routine and temperature preferences over time, automatically adjusting when heating and air conditioning run. Smart thermostats can help lower your energy bills and avoid unnecessary energy use when you’re asleep or away from home. It also enables you to have complete control over your thermostat, even when you are away from home, giving you peace of mind.
This blog refers specifically to the ConnectedSolutions program offered by Massachusetts utilities Eversource and National Grid. Program eligibility, incentives, and participating utilities vary by state and utility territory. Other utilities in New England, including Rhode Island Energy, may offer ConnectedSolutions programs with different requirements and benefits.
If you live inEversourceorNational Grid territory, your utility will reward you for helping to shave peak energy demand! When energy consumption is highest—typically during the hottest days of the year— it puts more demand on the electric grid. Hot weather is a major driver of peak demand, as more people turn on their air conditioning to stay cool when temperatures rise.
Liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals are large pieces of infrastructure that can either turn pipeline natural gas into a liquid to move onto ships or turn liquified natural gas into a gas to put into a pipeline. They have recently made national headlines because the buildout of LNG export terminals has allowed the US to export more natural gas to the rest of the world, which in turn has led to higher domestic natural gas prices.
Uniquely for the mainland United States, New England’s LNG facilities are primarily used to import, not export, natural gas. This is because the region’s position at the end of the national gas pipeline system means that pipeline gas alone cannot meet the region’s demand during cold snaps. That is where the Everett Marine Terminal (EMT) comes in.
Heads up to Eversource electric customers in Massachusetts! If you have an electric vehicle (EV), you can now enroll in a new managed charging program offered by Eversource and earn rewards for charging off-peak. Eversource proposed this program way back in December 2024 as part of a mid-term modification of its current EV program (we wrote about this in February 2025), and the DPU issued its order in October 2025. Now, the program is finally live.
Last night, Thursday, the Massachusetts House passed H.5151, the latest iteration of its energy affordability bill. While we strongly oppose its proposed cut to Mass Save, overall, this bill is a massive improvement, both in terms of its impact on the climate and energy affordability, over the first version put out by the House Telecommunications Utility and Energy Committee back in November. Thanks to everyone who reached out to their lawmakers in opposition to that legislation, the Representatives who pushed back against pro-fossil fuel policies, and the hard work of House Ways and Means leadership and staff, many of the worst provisions originally in the bill, such as a pipeline tax, were removed.
Here is a summary of many of the best and worst provisions in this 100+ page bill.
The House Ways and Means Committee has just put out a new version of their energy bill, H.5151, which is expected to be voted on by the full House this Thursday. This bill, while a massive improvement over what left the House Telecommunications Utility and Energy Committee in November, is still a mixed bag. Though it removes many of the previous bill’s worst provisions and improves consumer protections for electricity customers, it would still impose draconian cuts on the Mass Save program. Yet again, we need you to take action by calling your representative!
The following is an update on the ongoing process in Massachusetts regarding energy legislation.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is moving forward once again with an energy bill that could impact affordability and climate progress for years to come. The House Ways and Means Committee is working on a new draft, picking up where the Energy Committee left off in November with House Bill 4744, a truly awful piece of legislation. We believe that Ways and Means will come out with a new version by the second week of February.
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.
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