Major energy-affordability bill passes Massachusetts Senate

The Massachusetts Senate has passed a broad energy bill aimed at cutting utility costs, with backers saying it could save residents $14 billion over ten years. The state has some of the highest utility bills in the country, and the bill takes aim at that in several ways: changing how the state buys energy, adding rules for third-party electric suppliers, letting utilities borrow at lower cost for certain projects, and phasing out a major source of gas-line spending. It also allows homeowners to use plug-in solar systems, a small-scale setup that plugs into a regular outlet, similar to a balcony solar panel. Supporters say weaning the state off gas is central to bringing bills down, since gas costs are driving much of the current pain.

One point matters directly for anyone who might do efficiency work on their home: the Senate version does not cut funding for Mass Save, the state's energy-efficiency rebate and incentive program. That's a sharp contrast to the House version, which calls for slashing Mass Save's budget by $1 billion, roughly two-thirds of what's left in its current three-year budget. Supporters of that cut say it would lower bills faster; opponents say the savings would be minor and that efficiency spending actually holds down costs for everyone over time.

Because the House and Senate bills differ, especially on Mass Save funding, lawmakers now have to reconcile the two versions before anything becomes final, with both chambers voting again on whatever compromise emerges. Until then, it's not yet settled whether Mass Save funding will survive intact.