Governor Healey announces new winter energy bill relief

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey this week announced new actions to help Massachusetts families lower their heating and electric bills this winter.

Healey declared a State of Energy Emergency and, through an executive order, is expanding eligibility for home heating assistance and removing charges from electric bills.

This includes creating a new home heating assistance benefit for about 50,000 middle class households who rely on heating oil that previously did not qualify for existing assistance programs, as well as increasing heating assistance for approximately 156,000 low-income households as part of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

For the first time, Massachusetts is creating a new home heating oil assistance benefit for households earning between 60 percent and 100 percent of State Median Income, extending assistance to middle class families that have traditionally fallen outside eligibility for existing heating assistance programs. For a family of four, this means households earning more than $103,049 and up to $171,749 may qualify for the new one-time emergency benefit. Approximately 50,000 Massachusetts heating oil households are expected to qualify and receive up to $680 per household. Assistance will be available beginning in December until the end of the heating season on April 30, 2027, or until funding lasts.

The state will also provide an additional $15 million to increase winter heating assistance for approximately 156,000 low-income households across Massachusetts. Current support ranges from approximately $525 to $1,200 per household. Under Healey’s plan, households that heat with oil will receive a 20 percent increase in assistance, while households that heat with utilities will receive a 15 percent increase. Homeowners and renters can apply for HEAP online at www.mass.gov/heatinghelp.

The governor will also eliminate the SMART program charge on residential electric bills for three months and cut the Alternative Portfolio Standard by 50 percent this winter. Overall, this plan will lower energy bills for about 85 percent of ratepayers.

Additionally, by declaring a State of Energy Emergency, Healey is activating legal protections in Massachusetts against price gouging of petroleum products. Healey is directing all responsible state agencies to monitor, investigate and enforce rules against price gouging or excessive or misleading prices for petroleum products.

Healey also sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to provide an additional $3 billion in emergency funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which would bring the program to $7 billion.

“Families are seeing the impact of the war in Iran every time they fill up their gas tank, place an order for heating oil or open their electric bill. I’m declaring a State of Energy Emergency because in Massachusetts, we are going to use every tool we have to get people relief,” said Healey. “We’re delivering nearly $150 million in savings, including helping middle class families who didn’t previously qualify for assistance and taking charges off of electric bills for households and businesses across Massachusetts. I’m also grateful for the strong partnership of Congressman Joe Kennedy and Citizens Energy to create the Winter Warmth Fund to deliver additional relief to families facing sky heating bills.”

“Energy costs are putting real pressure on family budgets, and this plan gets relief directly to those who need it,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “We’re helping middle class families heat their homes, increasing support for our lowest-income residents and taking charges off electric bills this winter. This is about meeting the moment and lowering costs for people across Massachusetts.”

“For too many of our neighbors, an unexpected heating emergency can quickly become a crisis — forcing families to make impossible choices between keeping the heat on and putting food on the table or paying other essential bills,” said former Congressman Joe Kennedy III, president of Citizens Energy.

“Every family deserves a warm and safe home, especially when winter arrives in Massachusetts. The Emergency Winter Warmth Fund is about making sure no one has to face that choice alone. By bringing together Citizens Energy, the Commonwealth, and partners across Massachusetts, we can help families through the moments when they need a helping hand most and make sure no one is left out in the cold.”

The cost of heating oil is currently 70 percent higher this winter compared to this week last year and prices are likely to remain volatile. In Massachusetts, the average price of home heating oil reached $6.08 per gallon as of September 28, up 73 percent from $3.52 last year. Approximately one in five Massachusetts households relies on heating oil, particularly in older homes and rural communities.

“No one should be afraid to turn on the heat when costs are high. This is a matter of public health,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We are standing up new programs to help middle class families stay warm and safe this winter. We are also taking actions to provide savings on electric bills and expand support for low-income customers. This is also why we need to continue our all-of-the-above approach to energy to bring down costs and put an end to this costly volatility our residents can’t afford.”

“Rising heating costs are putting added pressure on families already struggling to keep up with everyday expenses,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. “Today’s announcement of increased HEAP benefits and expanded access means more Massachusetts households can get the help they need to stay warm this winter. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is delivering relief when families need it most.”