Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll defended an executive order signed by Gov. Maura Healey, which aims to provide emergency energy relief for Massachusetts residents by suspending certain utility charges for three months. Healey declared a state of emergency, removing the SMART program charge from residential electric bills and cutting the Alternative Portfolio Standard charge by 50% this winter.
While supporters praise the measure, critics, including some Republicans and gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, accuse it of being an “election ploy.” The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance argued that the move highlights the high costs of state climate policies.
Driscoll claimed resources are available to offset the lost revenue from the suspended charges but did not specify their source. She also rejected claims that Healey and her administration overly blame former President Trump for rising energy costs, asserting that inflation is directly tied to his policies.
Minogue responded that he is also seeking a way to lower energy bills, asserting he’ll eliminate climate taxes and gas taxes altogether. The Massachusetts Republican Party criticized Healey’s order as a desperate attempt to mimic challenger ideas. The executive order additionally seeks to increase eligibility for the Home Energy Assistance Program, although details on its costs and funding remain unclear.
