Senator Dooner Calls on Governor Healey to Do More for Struggling Massachusetts Residents, Urges Support for Critical Utility Reform Legislation

Boston, MA – March 18, 2025 – Today, Senator Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton) issued a statement in response to Governor Healey’s “Energy Agenda,” calling on the administration to take real action to address the financial burden Massachusetts residents are facing due to soaring energy costs. Senator Dooner urged the Governor to support her legislation that would provide meaningful relief and long-term consumer protections.

“Governor Healey’s plan simply does not do enough,” said Senator Dooner. “A $50 credit is not real relief for families who are seeing their utility bills skyrocket. The fact is, decisions made under this administration and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) have contributed to this crisis, and now residents are being asked to settle for breadcrumbs. That’s unacceptable.”

Senator Dooner has introduced legislation aimed at holding utility companies accountable and ensuring that Massachusetts families are no longer subjected to unchecked rate hikes. This legislation includes:

• Public Hearings and Transparency in Rate Changes: Requiring the Department of Public Utilities to hold at least one public hearing and a 30-day public comment period before approving any rate increase.

• Capping Rate and Delivery Fee Increases: Preventing investor-owned electric and gas distribution companies from increasing delivery fees or rates by more than 3 percent per year, adjusted for inflation.

• Utility Discounts for Veterans and Seniors: Establishing a Veteran Utility Rate Reduction Program and a Senior Utility Rate Reduction Program to provide discounted delivery fees for qualifying residents.

• Comprehensive Reform of Delivery Fees: Creating a special commission to study and recommend long-term solutions to reduce excessive utility costs while maintaining reliable service.

“This legislation takes real action to prevent these kinds of rate hikes from happening in the first place, and I urge the Governor to support these reforms,” continued Senator Dooner. “We have already received bipartisan support on this because protecting residents from excessive utility costs is not a partisan issue, but a basic necessity. Massachusetts residents deserve more than temporary, insufficient relief. They deserve real solutions.”

Senator Dooner remains committed to fighting for the residents of the Commonwealth and ensuring that state leadership prioritizes meaningful reform over short-term fixes.